Andrew Donald Fleming charged with historic sexual abuse

A farmer whose family ran a massive wool property near Seymour for a century has been charged with historic sex abuse dating back to the 1980s.

Third-generation wool farmer Andrew Donald Fleming has been charged with historic sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s.

A third-generation Victorian wool farmer has been charged with historic child sex abuse dating back more than 40 years.

Andrew Donald Fleming, 66, fronted the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on November 26 facing 39 charges relating to sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s.

It is alleged that in the 1980s Mr Fleming raped, sexually assaulted and indecently assaulted six alleged victims in the townships of Glenaroua, Seymour and Alexandra.

Many of the indecent assault allegations relate to Mr Fleming allegedly masturbating the children.

At Glenaroua, it is alleged Mr Fleming raped a child under the age of 16, while at Alexandra Mr Fleming allegedly raped a child.

Mr Fleming was charged by Seymour Sexual Offences and Child Abuse investigation detectives on June 21, 2024 following a lengthy investigation.

Police have been investigating Mr Fleming since 2022.

Andrew Donald Fleming has been charged with historic sex abuse dating back to the 1980s.

The court heard the prosecution were withdrawing a compulsory examination of a witness, as the witness had now made a statement.

The court heard Mr Fleming, who now lived in Seymour, had recently been unwell and was discharged from hospital on November 4.

Mr Fleming is from a well-known farming family in Glenaroua where they had a property known as ‘Cranley’ since 1921.

The family sold the property on November 19, 2021, a Nutrien Harcourts agent confirmed.

Mr Fleming ran a Merino flock of 800 16-micron sheep during his farming tenure.

Mr Fleming, who will consider his options in regards to legal aid grants to fund his case, will return to court on February 5, 2025.