Goulburn: Kevin Thomas Crawford allegedly sexually assaulted minor, acted as client in child prostitution

The course of justice has been delayed for a “very serious matter” in which a Southern Tablelands man has been charged for sexually assaulting a minor and participating in child prostitution as a client.

The course of justice has been delayed for a “very serious matter” in which a Southern Tablelands man faces 10 charges including sexually assaulting a minor and participating in child prostitution as a client.

Kevin Thomas Crawford, 59, appeared via audiovisual link at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday for his alleged offences, which he has not yet pleaded to.

The court heard the Goulburn local has been in custody since September 21 last year – the day he was arrested – for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under 16, two counts of sexually touching a child, acting as a client with a child prostitute, supplying liquor to a minor (not parent) and four counts of supplying prohibited drugs.

Kevin Thomas Crawford, 59, appeared via audiovisual link at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.

Despite the case being adjourned several times now, both Mr Crawford’s lawyer and the police prosecutor asked for another adjournment, due to a lack of material to move onto the next stage.

Lawyer Richard Brandon-Baker said “It’s a reasonably complex matter,” especially the charge involving Mr Crawford allegedly acting as a client with a child prostitute, and insinuated that that’s why the process is taking so long.

While the police prosecutor said a DNA sample from Mr Crawford was obtained on Tuesday, there is still outstanding material like phone downloads and statements.

Mr Brandon-Baker mentioned the officer-in-charge at Goulburn Police Station is on long term sick leave, which is why police statements have not been sorted.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie expressed frustration with the “significant delay” for “very serious allegations.”

“There’s urgency in this matter and it has been adjourned to ‘brief status’ a number of times now,” Magistrate Beattie said.

“He has been in custody since September last year and there are still outstanding details.

“I note the officer-in-charge has been on long term sick leave but surely someone else can assist?”

She also mentioned that a brief of evidence is meant to be served within six months and given that it’s now been seven months, the course of justice has been delayed.

Magistrate Beattie ordered the matter to be adjourned to June 15 for charge certification and said that “if the officer-in-charge does not deliver the outstanding material in time, he should come to court to explain why it hasn’t been given.”

The matter is then expected to go to Goulburn District Court due to the strictly indictable charges.