Peakhurst man Frederick Jones charged with child sex abuse
An elderly Sydney art teacher has been charged with 10 counts of sexual assault after what police allege was a sickening campaign of abuse against a little girl which began when she was just six years old.
St George Shire Standard
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An elderly art teacher is behind bars charged with several sickening sexual offences against a little girl, who alleges he raped her three times when she was not even 10 years old.
For decades Frederick Jones, 83, taught young students at an art studio attached to the Peakhurst home he resides in with his wife of more than 30 years.
He can now expect to spend at least the next three months of his retirement in prison after he was charged with 10 counts of sexual and indecent assault against a little girl and refused bail at Sutherland Local Court.
Magistrate Jayeann Carney described details of the alleged offences between 2013 and 2018 when the little girl was aged six to 11, as “furtive” and “manipulative”.
“During the interview with police it was explained that in 2016 and 2017, he touched her more than 20 times,” Ms Carney read from allegations made by police in court documents.
Jones was refused bail due to the court’s concern about continued offending and he will next face court via audiovisual link on April 6.
The court also heard a surveillance warrant was granted to record a phone call between the alleged victim’s father and Jones, in which the claims were put to him.
“He said, ‘she was a very sick little girl from the start’, from which he appears to make the implication that the child is mentally unwell – but she made clear disclosures,” Ms Carney said.
“He also says ‘if you accuse me, I’m gone’, which may be construed as some partial admission (of guilt).”
Police will say the alleged offending ceased in 2018 when Jones allegedly went to touch the victim’s backside and she slapped him roughly away.
“She started realising the behaviour towards her was not right,” Ms Carney read from allegations made by police in court documents.
“She was drawing in the art studio and got up to get a rubber – he touched her on her bottom and she pushed his hand roughly away.”
Parts of the alleged victim’s account to police included appalling details about Jones’ body.
“She said (his body part) was soft, squishy and disgusting,” Ms Carney read from the facts.
The victim also told police there were details of alleged assaults over the years which she had simply tried to forget.
Jones will receive medical assistance behind bars due to his age and the fact he has a pacemaker.
He has no criminal record.