Darren Vuolanne facing child sex charges

A 50-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting four children over several years has been granted bail, prompting an appeal by police to keep him behind bars on remand.

An Illawarra man charged with sexually assaulting four children over several years has been granted bail, prompting a desperate appeal by police to keep him behind bars on remand.

Darren Vuolanne, 50, stands accused of assaulting four minors which were alleged to have occurred during a five-year period from 1996 to 2001.

Mr Vuolanne is now charged with six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under 16 and five counts of alleged assaults with act of indecency.

He was granted bail at Wollongong Local Court on Friday – a decision police will now appeal in the Supreme Court. The court heard Mr Vuolanne’s alleged abuse of two young girls began in 1996.

The court heard graphic allegations which included touching a minor’s nipples while on a road trip, touching the genitals of an eight-year-old child, and having sexual intercourse with another alleged victim between 15 and 20 times.

Darren Vuolanne, 50, is facing child sex charges. Picture: Steven Bell

Mr Vuolanne had been associated with Scout troops before becoming a truck driver, a career which saw him based in Alice Springs in 2019.

The court heard he was at that time extradited to NSW on separate charges, which he was ultimately cleared of.

The accused was arrested by Strike Force Delavor on Thursday evening, but not before being confronted by one of his alleged victim’s at his address, which is less than 100 metres from a public school, where he said in a recorded conversation, “Look, don’t worry about it, don’t worry about it.”

Mr Vuolanne allegedly coerced his victims into performing sexual acts, which began by insisting they sit on his lap before he pulled them tight and placed his hands on their thighs, the court heard.

The court heard despite the complainants being uncomfortable, he would allegedly tell them to kiss him to be allowed to do things and if they refused, he would belittle them until they obliged.

Darren Vuolanne, 50, must report to Lake Illawarra police station daily. Picture: Google

Police prosecutor Sean Thackray argued Mr Vuolanne’s bail application should be dismissed due to the threat he posed to the community and flight risk given his connections to the NT.

The prosecution highlighted that Mr Vuolanne resides on the same street as a public school, and pointed to how the accused showed “little remorse” for his alleged actions and has laughed at the alleged victims when confronted regarding the “horrendous” sexual abuse acts.

“There is a strong case that will lead to a likely lengthy custodial sentence,” Mr Thackray said in court.

“There is concern over whether he will attend court.

“He was extradited from the NT in 2019 to face charge, this suggests he has contacts in the NT.

“Those charges pale in significance to the charges he is facing now.

“He would be facing a significant custodial sentence so the temptation to flee given the circumstances is very, very high.”

The prosecutor also rejected the importance of these being historical allegations given matters of this nature often go unreported for an ‘extremely long time’.

Mr Vuolanne’s legal aid lawyer told the court he would not run to the Top End given his only ties to the NT were a previous employer.

The defence also said Mr Vuolanne’s 85-year-old mother, who he lives with, required the daily assistance of her son and that she would be “vulnerable in the community” without him.

Magistrate Claire Girotto granted bail with a $3000 surety to ensure “more accountability” with the other conditions as he is unable to go to an airport, he is to have no contact with children 16 years and under, he is to have no contact with the complainants and he is to report daily to Lake Illawarra police station.

However, police have now launched an urgent detention application in the Supreme Court to prevent Mr Vuolanne being at liberty due to their extreme concerns for community safety.

The case was adjourned until February 9.