Church youth group leader Brett Edward Sorby on sex charges after Maryville arrest

Newcastle detectives have raided the Maryville home of a church youth leader before charging him with 14 alleged offences relating to an underage girl.

Church youth leader Brett Edward Sorby, 58, who was arrested at his Maryville home on January 12, 2022 and charged with 14 sex offences allegedly committed in the mid-2000s.

A church youth group leader has been charged with 14 sex offences allegedly relating to an underage girl almost 20 years ago.

Brett Edward Sorby, 58, was arrested by Newcastle detectives at his Maryville home last week following an investigation into his alleged offending over almost a year in the mid-2000s.

He faced Newcastle Local Court on Monday charged with six counts of aggravated sexual assault – victim aged under 16 years; four counts of aggravated indecent assault and four other charges.

Brett Edward Sorby did not apply for bail and remains in custody on remand following a brief appearance in Newcastle Local Court on Monday. Picture: Supplied

Court documents stated Sorby allegedly sexually assaulted the girl for almost a year.

The documents also stated Sorby had allegedly made sexually explicit remarks to the teenage girl at least twice while committing an act of indecency.

Sorby, who continued as a youth leader for a small Newcastle church until his arrest, decided against facing Newcastle Local Court on Monday as his solicitor Mark Evans mentioned the matter.

He did not apply for bail and Magistrate Ian Cheetham adjourned the matter until March 21.

Police said investigations were ongoing.