Blue Haven: Christopher John Stewart, charged with sexually abusing boy, granted bail
A man has been granted bail two days after his arrest by Child Abuse Unit detectives for allegedly sexually assaulting a boy aged between 10 and 16 multiple times last year.
Central Coast
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A man with no criminal history has been granted bail after being charged with 13 counts of sexually touching and inciting a boy to touch him on the Central Coast last year.
Christopher John Stewart, of Blue Haven, faced Gosford Local Court on Friday where his barrister, Dev Bhutani, successfully applied for bail.
Mr Bhutani submitted the alleged offences were not “show cause” matters and told the court any risks of committing further offences could be mitigated by strict bail conditions.
The police prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court “the facts speak for themselves” and it was a strong prosecution case given some alleged corroborating evidence from another witness.
The police prosecutor said the allegations of sexual abuse occurred over a lengthy period of time and if convicted, Mr Stewart would “almost certainly” face a custodial sentence.
Charge sheets tendered to court state Mr Stewart was arrested on Wednesday by officers from the Child Abuse Unit Central Coast.
He was taken to Gosford Police Station where he was charged with 13 offences including six counts of intentionally sexually touching a child aged between 10 and 16; six counts of inciting a child to sexually touch him; and one count of aggravated intentionally carrying out a sexual act with a child.
Police allege the offences occurred some time between January 1 and December 27 last year.
The court heard the 45-year-old, who appeared via video link, had no criminal history.
Magistrate Michael Antrum granted strict conditional bail that Mr Stewart reside at an address at Bobs Farm and report to Nelson Bay Police Station on Mondays, not approach or contact any victim or witness, or anyone under the age of 18, not to enter the suburb of Blue Haven and not to apply for a passport or approach any port of departure.
Mr Stewart was adjourned to face court again on February 1.
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