Former Melb teacher facing sex abuse charges appears in court from nursing home

A former teacher and little league coach has appeared in court bedridden from a Queensland nursing home as he faces historic sex abuse offences.

Former St Kilda Little League Coach Darrell Ray is facing 26 indecent assault charges. Picture: Supplied

A former Melbourne primary school teacher and little league coach accused of historic sexual abuse has appeared in court bedridden from a Queensland nursing home.

An arrest warrant was issued for Ray Cosgriff, formerly known as Darrell Ray, last month after he failed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 26 counts of indecent assault against a male.

On Friday, the 82-year-old beamed into court remotely from an Ipswich aged care home where he appeared frail, lying in a bed and with a blanket over him.

Former St Kilda Little League Coach Darrell Ray is facing 26 indecent assault charges. Picture: Supplied

Mr Cosgriff confirmed he could see and hear the court before Magistrate Belinda Franjic adjourned his case to later this year.

No details of his alleged offending were aired during the brief administrative hearing.

The former Beaumaris Primary School librarian was charged following a decades-long probe by Victoria Police’s Sex Crimes Squad.

He is facing 26 charges of indecent assault against eight males in Moorabbin, Beaumaris and Hampton between 1967 to 1976.

Among the allegations are that he touched the genitalia of his victims and placed one person’s hand on his own penis.

Mr Cosgriff worked at the Bayside school between 1971 and 1976 while also coaching St Kilda Little League.

He also taught at Moe Primary School and My View Primary School in Glen Waverley.

Mr Cosgriff had his bail extended and will return to court on October 27.