Hunter man charged over alleged sexual abuse of eight-year-old girl
60-year-old Eric Coughlan was arrested following an investigation into reports an eight year old girl had allegedly been sexually abused by a family friend at her home.
Newcastle
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A man, who was a family friend, has been charged over the alleged sexual abuse of a young girl in the Hunter region.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad started an investigation this month after reports a young girl was sexually abused by a man known to her.
That led to the arrest of 60-year-old Eric Coughlan on Monday afternoon.
He was charged with three counts of sexual intercourse with child under the age of 10 years, intentionally sexually touch child under 10 years, and intentionally incite child under 10 years to sexually touch them.
Police will allege in court that Coughlan sexually abused the girl – aged eight – numerous times at a home in Raymond Terrace between 2019 and 2020.
Police documents lodged in court alleged the acts happened during the school holidays while her parents were at home.
The matter was mentioned at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Tuesday and was adjourned until March 9 where a brief will be served.
Investigations are continuing.