Neville Christopher Yeomans: Alleged QLD pedo dies before facing trial

An alleged paedophile who injured the “intimate areas” of victims and threatened to shoot them if they told anyone has died before ever facing justice.

A Queensland man extradited to NSW to face allegations of horrific child sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s and 80s has died.

Neville Christopher Yeomans, of Dalby, was supposed to face Gosford District Court on Thursday but a death certificate was tendered in his absence.

The court heard the 79-year-old died on February 25 and the criminal proceedings against him were abated.

It comes after Tuggerah Lakes detectives reopened an investigation in May 2019 into the alleged historic abuse of three children in the 1980s.

Tuggerah Lakes Police detectives reopened a cold case involving the alleged sexual abuse of three children in the 1980s and tracked down Mr Yeomans to a caravan park near Dalby. (file image)

Their inquiries led to a caravan park near Dalby where Mr Yeomans was arrested by Queensland police on October 31, 2019.

An extradition warrant was granted at Dalby Magistrates Court on November 1, 2019, and Mr Yeomans was taken into custody in NSW.

In January 2021 Mr Yeomans was arraigned to face trial after pleading not guilty to 19 indictments against three children aged under 12 at the time.

The charges allege Mr Yeomans had unlawful sexual relationships with the victims, indecently assaulted them and incited the victims to commit sexual acts on the Central Coast, Mid North Coast and Queensland from the early 1970s to mid 1980s.

Mr Yeomans was diagnosed with end stage metastatic lung cancer, which had spread to his bones, while in custody.

Mr Yeomans was diagnosed with lung cancer at Long Bay Hospital. Picture: supplied

He was remanded to Long Bay Hospital until his Legal Aid lawyer successfully sought Mr Yeoman’s bail in August last year so he could receive palliative care at Bupa Aged Care Greenacre.

At his bail application Supreme Court Justice Richard Button said if it wasn’t for Mr Yeoman’s terminal condition he would remain in custody.

“The sexual offences against children said to have occurred many years ago are of the utmost gravity,” Justice Button said.

“A number of children complained and there were injuries observed and abnormalities observed in the intimate areas of complainants.

“It is alleged very grave threats of violence were made including to shoot one or more of the complainants if anything was said.”

Justice Button said since being charged Mr Yeomans had tried to contact one or more of the victims.