Foster carer bailed on charges of alleged indecent assaults of two young children near Newcastle
Police allege a 69-year-old man indecently assaulted the girls - aged six and 11 - on several occasions while they were in his foster care in October 2018.
Newcastle
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A foster carer, charged over the alleged indecent assaults of two young children near Newcastle, has been granted bail.
Police allege the 69-year-old indecently assaulted the girls - aged six and 11 - on several occasions while they were in his foster care in October 2018.
A more than year-long investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad culminated in his arrest at a home in Newcastle on Wednesday.
He was then charged with six counts of indecent assault of a person under 16 years of age.
The man appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, where his solicitor Daniel Lewis made a release application and said his client had never been in trouble and denied the allegations.
“It could be a year or two before it is finalised and he could be in custody that time awaiting trial,” Mr Lewis said.
“He has very significant physical injuries, arthritis and needs cholesterol medication.”
The Prosecution opposed bail telling the court the alleged offences were very serious in nature and there is a chance he could flee the jurisdiction.
“These types of matters it’s common for people not to have a record,” he said.
“Protection of the community and the victims should be at the front of the courts mind.”
But Magistrate David Price said there was very little risk given the age of the accused and his lack of criminal history.
He was granted bail with conditions he must report once a week to Waratah police station, have no contact with the witnesses, surrender his passport and must not have people under 18 living at where he will reside, or be alone in the company of a person under 18.
His matter was adjourned until April to Toronto Local Court.