Salvation Army captain Ronald Cotterill charged with child sex abuse
He once presided over a Sydney home for vulnerable young boys. Now, a former Salvation Army captain is facing multiple historical child sex abuse charges.
St George Shire Standard
Don't miss out on the headlines from St George Shire Standard. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former Salvation Army captain who once presided over a home for vulnerable young boys has been charged with a sickening array of sexual offences against boys as young as seven years old.
Ronald Cotterill, 80, allegedly used his fingers to penetrate two boys, touched one on his testicles and another on the groin near his genitals while he was employed at Bexley Boys Home between 1975 and 1978.
He now stands charged with 10 counts of indecent assault upon three boys, who were aged between seven and 12 at the time.
An agent for his solicitor in Broken Hill, where Cotterill has lived since 1984, indicated Cotterill would fight all 10 charges.
Salvation Army spokesman Steve Speziale refused to comment on Cotterill’s work history but documents tendered to the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse indicate he was appointed second officer at the probationary boys’ home in January 1973, and then as manager along with his wife in January 1976.
“Mr Cotterill resigned his commission as an officer 26 years ago, in circumstances that did not involve any suggestion of impropriety,” Mr Speziale stated.
“The Salvation Army won’t comment on matters before the court.”
Other records tendered to the Royal Commission indicate Cotterill was also employed at the Alkira Boys Home in Indooroopilly in Queensland in January 1971.
Cotterill was excused from attending Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday - his 80th birthday - and the matter will be taken over by the Department of Public Prosecutions when it returns to court in January 2020.
Police documents state Cotterill has no prior recorded criminal history in the state of NSW.
“There is a real possibility of a custodial sentence being imposed if the accused person is convicted of the offences,” the documents stated.
Court documents also indicate Cotterill is now suffering significant health issues which require “large amounts of medication” and the full-time assistance of his wife.
“The accused has lived in Broken Hill since 1984,” the documents stated.
“He resides with his wife, who is his full-time carer - he has two adult children who live interstate.”
Do you know more about this story? Email eliza.barr@news.com.au.