A 36-year-old member of Geelong Revival Centre will face court on child sex abuse offences

A Geelong man associated with a controversial city-based Pentecostal church will face court on Friday after being charged with a number of child sex abuse offences.

A 36-year-old East Geelong man has been charged on a number of child sex abuse offences.

A 36-year-old East Geelong man associated with a controversial city-based Pentecostal church will face court on Friday after being charged with a number of child sex offences.

Victoria Police confirmed detectives from the Geelong Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation unit made the arrest on Wednesday after the man attended a police station.

He was charged with sexual penetration of a child under 16, three counts of sexual assault and possess child abuse material.

The man was a member of the Geelong Revival Centre, a controversial and secretive Pentecostal group which has its headquarters on Thompson Road.

The Geelong Revival Centre on Thompson Rd in Norlane. Picture: Alison Wynd

Geelong Revival Centre pastor Noel Hollins told the Geelong Advertiser on Thursday he was aware of the charges, and confirmed the accused had been a member of the church.

“At this point we don’t have too much comments to make,” he said.

“Police are investigating the matter and everything that has happened will come out, and that’s the best thing that can happen.

“It’s been put in their hands and that’s the right thing to do. I’m just waiting on the final investigations of the police.”

He has been remanded to face Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday, January 27.

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Originally published as A 36-year-old member of Geelong Revival Centre will face court on child sex abuse offences