Mark Richards, former school employee, allegedly had sex with child

A 40-year-old father accused of grooming a teen girl allegedly sexually touched her at a park, cafe and hotel. Police allege he also had sex with her.

Mark Richards, 40, has faced Wagga Local Court charged with having sex with a teen girl. Picture: Michael Frogley

A 40-year-old father who worked at a Riverina school has been arrested and charged with allegedly having sex with a teenage girl.

Mark Richards faced Wagga Local Court on Friday charged with 11 counts of intentionally sexually touch child (aged between 10 and 16), three counts of sexual intercourse with child (aged between 10 and 16), intentionally do sexual act with child (aged between 10 and 16) and groom child for unlawful sexual activity.

Police will allege the man groomed the young girl while employed at a school before sexually assaulting her on numerous occasions between August 2019 and March 2020.

According to court documents, police allege Richards sexually touched the young girl at the Dare to Bite Cafe in Tumbarumba between August 1 and August 22 in 2019.

Police allege he also touched the young girl on a number of occasions at Bicentennial Park in Tumbarumba and at the another time at the Tumbarumba Hotel.

He is also accused of having sex with the teenager.

One of the incidents allegedly took place at the Tumbarumba Dare to Bite Cafe. Picture: Google Maps

Richards was arrested at a Riverina caravan park on Thursday and taken to Tumut police station after a four-month long police investigation into the alleged incidents.

Police searched two homes in the Riverina and allegedly seized electronic devices, knives and a sling shot which will undergo forensic examination.

The court heard Richards allegedly broke a apprehended violence order that was in place for the alleged victim by meeting with her on a number of occasions and communicating with her via mobile phone about 5000 times, but no charges had been laid in relation to the alleged breach.

The court also heard Richards allegedly bought the girl a mobile phone and gave it to her so she could communicate with him.

Richards’s lawyer told the court he had no criminal history and was suffering depression.

The court heard Richards had separated from his wife.

Richards was arrested and taken to Tumut Police Station. Picture – Google Maps.

However, Richards instructed his lawyer that he was going “better than he has ever done before” as he had a new job and driver’s licence.

Magistrate Chris Halburd refused Richards bail.

“(This is a) very strong prosecution case indeed,” he told the court.

“I could not be satisfied he could comply with any court orders if … imposed,” he said.

Richards did not enter any pleas and the matter was adjourned to January 13.