Batemans Bay: Veteran Christopher Roberts charged with aggravated sexual assault

The case of a south coast army veteran charged with sexually assaulting a child in 2014 has been beset with delays once again, with a magistrate expressing his frustration at the adjournments.

Christopher Roberts leaving Batemans Bay Court.

A south coast army veteran is still yet to enter pleas over allegations he sexually assaulted a child in 2014 due to various issues which have provoked a series of adjournments.

Christopher Roberts, 63, from Dalmeny, is yet to enter a plea on the serious charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 16.

Magistrate Doug Dick said he was ready to move forward with the serious matter on Monday and hear Roberts’ plea, before the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) requested the matter be adjourned again, this time by four weeks.

Mr Dick questioned why the matter needed to be adjourned again.

The DPP said they were requesting the adjournment due to Roberts’ lawyer, Adam Sumbak, recently taking sudden sick leave following an injury, further noting he needed more time to become familiar with the case.

The veteran was first charged on January 5 this year.

The same day, Roberts faced Wollongong Local Court where he was granted bail for the alleged sexual assault which police allege occurred in 2014.

Roberts has remained in the Eurobodalla Shire community on strict bail conditions since.

Christopher Roberts appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

While Mr Sumbak did not oppose another adjournment, Mr Dick did have issues with the timeframe.

“Four weeks doesn’t work because there’s just no room on a fifth week of court for something like this,” he said.

The DPP agreed to then adjourn it by three weeks.

Roberts will return to Batemans Bay Local Court on May 22 this year, where he is expected to enter a plea on the serious charge.

He will remain subject to his strict bail conditions.