Mark Ladmore trial day five: Accused pedophile questioned by Crown

An air-conditioning business owner accused of sexually assaulting and grooming a child – with horrendous allegations aired in a trial – has been accused of lying while under questioning from the prosecution.

Mark Ladmore’s trial began on Monday. Picture: Tom McGann

An air-conditioning business owner accused of sexually assaulting and grooming a child – with horrendous allegations aired in a trial – has been accused of lying while under questioning from the prosecution.

It comes on Friday in the fifth day of 44-year-old Mark Ladmore’s judge-only trial in Bega District Court, where he reaffirmed his innocence and denied having an “obsession” with the alleged victim.

The South Coast man, who the court heard operates a South Coast airconditioning business, previously pleaded not guilty to sexual touching, grooming, possessing child abuse material, inciting a child, assaulting a child, aggravated sexual intercourse, and producing abuse material.

The charges stem from allegations Ladmore sexually abused, assaulted and groomed the child.

During examination by his defence barrister, David McCallum, Ladmore denied all claims, telling Judge Andrew Haesler SC under oath that he never sexually assaulted the child, took photos, or used sex toys on them – despite the Crown claiming otherwise.

Mark Ladmore’s trial is occurring in Bega District Court. Picture: Tom McGann

Ladmore also denied possessing child abuse images, insisting his devices were “hacked” after detectives allegedly unearthed more than 100 explicit images of minors on them.

Under cross-examination, Crown prosecutor Roger Kimbell accused Ladmore of being sexually attracted to the child.

Mark Ladmore previously leaving Batemans Bay Local Court. Picture: Tom McGann

“I was not,” Ladmore protested in court.

Mr Kimbell then alleged Ladmore was “obsessed” with the child, arguing the lollies and toys he admitted to buying them was a ploy to coerce the child into intercourse.

Ladmore rejected the claim.

Mr Kimbell further alleged Ladmore secretly took images of the child from a roof cavity while they sat in a bath.

“I’ve never been in the roof cavity before,” Ladmore responded.

The prosecutor accused Ladmore of fabricating his defence.

“You’re lying,” Mr Kimbell said.

“No, I’m not,” Ladmore replied.

“If I was doing these things, why would they keep coming back?”

Prosecution and defence will submit their cases on Monday, however Mr McCallum previously noted the child complainant’s reliability would be the “focus” of his closing remarks.

Judgment is expected to be handed down late next week.

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