South Coast childcare worker bailed over alleged sexual abuse of little girl

A male childcare worker has been granted bail on a $50,000 surety following allegations he sexually touched a four-year-old girl on a vacant property on the south coast.

The man leaves Nowra Local Court on December 9. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

A South Coast childcare worker has been granted bail over allegations he led a four-year-old girl out of her daycare class and to a vacant site where he touched her sexually on two occasions.

The man, in his 50s, was arrested from his home on Tuesday, after police launched an investigation into the incident following a complaint from the girl’s parents to the centre’s director.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the little girl, was charged with take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage, intentionally sexually touch child under 10 years and aggravated sexually touch another person, and faced Nowra Local Court on Wednesday, where he was granted bail by Magistrate Gabriel Fleming.

The man was released on a $50,000 surety. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

During his appearance, the court heard the man allegedly took the little girl from the centre to a vacant home sometime between February and December, and allegedly touched her sexually.

According to police, the site where the alleged incident took place was raided by forensic officers, where an item of clothing to be used in evidence was found. However, in making an application for bail, the man’s lawyer David McCallum said the item was a “rag” used in the cleaning and renovating process.

“It was not hidden anywhere … it was far from being an item he was trying to hide,” he said. “It was simply a clean-up rag that had been discarded in a wardrobe of premises.”

Mr McCallum said it was also common knowledge among staff and children at the centre that the man would often attend the vacant home for the purpose of renovations, noting it was “curious” that no other staff or children noticed the girl was missing during the alleged incidents.

Despite police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Kingston strongly opposing the application, Magistrate Fleming chose to grant bail on the basis his family put up a $50,000 surety, and that he not contact any person linked to the centre, including children and their families.

She also ordered he report daily and not be in the presence of any child under 16.

“It is not a weak case,” she said. “The nature of this offence is very, very serious, that means it will go to a higher court and the penalties (if found guilty) are significant”.

The matter will return to court next year.