Elderly youth centre employee charged with historic child sex offences, taken to hospital

An elderly man has been taken to hospital after suffering a medical episode following his arrest for alleged historical sex crimes.

An elderly man is in hospital following his arrest for historic child sex abuse, which police allege took place in a youth centre more than fifteen years ago.

In February 2020, Eastern Beaches Police Area Command in NSW commenced an investigation into a 70-year-old man, after reports a boy had been sexually and indecently assaulted by the man in a youth centre more than fifteen years ago.

During the investigation, detectives also received another three reports of alleged abuse.

Investigators arrested the man at a youth centre in Surry Hills on Tuesday about 7am, following extensive investigation.

He was then taken to the Surry Hills Police Station before being transferred to hospital, under police guard, to receive treatment for a pre-existing condition.

Police have arrested a 70-year-old man over historic child abuse crimes. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Detectives executed a search warrant at the man’s home, also in Surry Hills, and seized items deemed relevant to the investigation.

The 70-year-old was charged with 22 offences including committing an act of indecency with a person under 16, sexual intercourse with a person under 10, aggravated indecent assault, assault with act of indecency, sexual intercourse with a person under 16 and committing an act of indecency with/towards a person.

Police will allege the elderly man sexually abused four boys while employed as a cleaner at a youth organisation in Daceyville between 1991 and 2006.

The boys were aged between seven and eleven at the time of the alleged offending.

The man will appear from his hospital bed before the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police say information provided will be treated with the strictest of confidence.