Mark Ladmore: Long Beach man pleads not guilty to child sexual touching, grooming

A south coast airconditioning business owner accused of sexually touching and grooming a child has officially pleaded not guilty to the litany of “serious” charges.

Mark Ladmore was charged with having sexual relations with a child older than 10, but younger than 14. He faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

A well-known south coast airconditioning business owner accused of sexually touching and grooming a child, as well as possessing child abuse material, has officially denied the allegations after eight months.

Mark Ladmore, 43, appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday pleading not guilty to charges of intentionally sexually touch child above the age of 10, groom child under the age of 14 and two counts of possess child abuse material.

It was the first time the Long Beach man appeared in court in person since his “serious” allegations were first mentioned in court in June last year.

Ladmore sat in the back of the courtroom on Monday, as his lawyer Ted Neaves officially entered the pleas to all of Ladmore’s charges.

“We maintain pleas of not guilty, your honour,” Mr Neaves said in court.
Ladmore was also originally charged with having sexual intercourse with a child and three counts of assault child, however these charges were dropped in September last year following discussions between the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Mr Neaves.

Documents tendered to Batemans Bay Local Court reveal the extent of the allegations against Ladmore, with police alleging the 43-year-old man groomed and sexually touched a child under the age of 14 between October 2020 and April 2023.

Mark Ladmore pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police also allege Ladmore was in possession of child abuse material on two separate occasions, once in late 2021 and again in early 2022.

The serious accusations saw Ladmore arrested on April 23, 2023, following extensive investigations by the South Coast Police District.

In court on Monday, DPP representative Alexander Edye requested the matter be adjourned to allow for final case certifications.

The request was not opposed by Mr Neaves or Magistrate Doug Dick, who indicated a trial date would be set during Ladmore’s next appearance.

“The matter should move on on the next occasion,” Mr Dick said.

The court previously heard Ladmore’s possible – now confirmed trial – would take place in the Bega District Court sometime this year.

Ladmore’s matter was adjourned to March 11, where a trial date is expected to be set.

The Long Beach man’s conditional bail was also continued, which states he must not contact the alleged victim in any way.

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