Barry Francis Watson to return to court in July on historic child sex offence charges
A former youth leader has been charged with indecently assaulting three nine-year-old boys in Park Orchards in the 1970s. His lawyer didn’t want the charges made public, but a magistrate wasn’t buying the reason.
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A Park Orchards man will face court in July over allegations of historic child sex offences.
Barry Francis Watson was a youth leader for the Church of England Boys Society in Park Orchards during the 1960s and 1970s.
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The alleged victims have come forward with Watson now set to face charges he indecently assaulted three nine-year-old boys at Park Orchards in the 1970s.
Now 78, he’ll appear in the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court for a three-day hearing on July 15 to 17 where he is expected to plead not guilty.
In a contest mention yesterday, the court heard three alleged victims had come forward, with police requesting last November to delay the process so they could conduct more interviews.
Watson’s defence counsel in open court opposed the release of the charge sheets, sought by Manningham Leader, on the grounds the charges remained allegations until the completion of the hearing.
But magistrate Nunzio La Rosa wasn’t swayed, allowing them to be released minus the names of Watson’s alleged victims.
“Justice should be seen to be open and to simply deny the public knowledge of the events that take place in this court is contrary to that,” he said.
The documents show the police informant is from Victoria Police’s sex offences and child abuse unit at Box Hill.
It’s alleged Watson indecently assaulted one victim between February 1972 and February 1973; a second between May 1975 and May 1976; and a third between May 1976 and May 1977.