Andrew David Moffit faces child sex charges involving girl, 8
An elderly man, who allegedly committed a ‘disturbing’ sexual act involving an eight-year-old girl, was kept behind bars after appearing in Manly Local Court on Monday.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An elderly man, who allegedly committed a “disturbing” sexual act involving an eight-year-old girl, was kept behind bars after appearing in Manly Local Court on Monday.
Andrew David Moffit, 70, was refused bail after police urged the court to keep him in custody to protect the safety of the child and other witnesses.
Mr Moffit, who had been living until recently in the Blue Mountains’ town of Winmalee, is accused of exposing himself to the girl and then performing an act of indecency while she was playing in the front yard of a home at Mosman.
Police allege the accused was riding a bicycle along Kirkoswald Ave about 4.30pm on Wednesday when he stopped to speak to the girl.
It is alleged Mr Moffit also asked the girl to expose herself.
They also allege the girl told her mother about the alleged incidents before the mother came outside and spoke briefly with Moffit before he rode away.
The mother called North Shore Police who then contacted the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
Mr Moffit was arrested while riding his bike on Bond St, Mosman, about 11.15am on Sunday.
He was charged with one count of intentionally carry out sexual act with child under 10 years and one count of intentionally incite child under 10 years to do sexual act to them.
When asked by Magistrate Daniel Reiss if he wanted to be represented by a solicitor in court, Mr Moffit declined.
Police prosecutor Sgt Amy Jenner, who opposed bail, said Mr Moffit had a lengthy history of offences, beginning in 1988, including being found guilty of wilful and obscene exposure and offensive conduct, some involving children.
The court heard he had been previously jailed three times for wilful and obscene exposure.
Sgt Jenner said bail should be refused because Mr Moffit was a potential danger to witnesses and other members of the community and could commit further serious offences.
“The case itself is disturbing in nature,” she said.
“The accused has no fixed place of abode.”
Mr Moffit said he wanted to be released so he could “look through the background of the laws”.
He said the police facts sheet about the alleged offences was “not true”.
“It’s exaggerated,” he said.
In refusing bail, Mr Reiss told Mr Moffit that he was “not convinced that bail conditions could restrain your behaviour”.
“(There is) disturbing alleged conduct here,” he said.
Mr Moffitt will be back in Manly Court, via video link, on May 15, for plea or mention.