Numurkah couple to face County Court with sex crime charges
One half of a Numurkah couple accused of horrific sex crimes against children has pleaded guilty to the charges, while the other is set to stand trial.
Goulburn Valley
Don't miss out on the headlines from Goulburn Valley. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Numurkah couple accused of sickening sex crimes against children over a four-year period are facing almost 60 charges between them.
The man was charged with 23 offences and pleaded guilty in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on March 12.
The offences included sexually touching and penetrating a child under the age of 16, engaging in sexual activity in presence of a child under 16, and producing, possessing and involving a child under 16 in the production of child abuse material.
The man will appear for a plea hearing in the Shepparton County Court on June 10.
The woman pleaded not guilty to more than 30 charges in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on March 12.
The alleged offences included bestiality, sexually touching and penetrating a child under the age of 16, engaging in sexual activity in presence of a child under 16, and producing, possessing and involving a child under 16 in the production of child abuse material.
She was also charged with aiding, facilitating or contributing to the man engaging in sexual conduct in relation to a child, and encouraging a child to engage in, or be involved in, a sexual activity.
The first offending allegedly occurred in 2016 when the woman allegedly caused or allowed a dog to sexually penetrate her.
The sex crimes against children allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2022.
The woman will appear in the Melbourne County Court for a directions hearing on April 2.
Neither the man or woman made an application for bail.
The pair were charged by Wangaratta Sexual Abuse and Child Abuse Investigation team detectives at the beginning of 2024 and have been in custody since.
The man was also facing charges for allegedly trafficking a large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, GHB, cannabis and MDMA, trafficking ketamine and dealing with $4780 knowing it was the proceeds of crime.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on March 12.
He will appear in the County Court for a directions hearing on April 2.
How a drug operation on Murchison farm came undone
A crew of five people — including a father and son — involved in a “significant drug operation” processed and intended to traffick more than 100kg of cannabis.
Armed thug’s ‘terrifying’ attack on two men outside Woolworths
A machete-wielding maniac who chased two victims after getting in a fight at Cobram Woolies has been described as “out of control” by a magistrate.