Latest news with #ChildAbuseSquad
ABC News
4 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Lake Macquarie teacher accused of sexually abusing 15yo boy to stand trial
A high school teacher will stand trial after pleading not guilty to grooming and sexually abusing a teenage boy near Newcastle. Karly Rae appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday where she pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual intercourse with a child in October 2024. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in jail. A second count of the same charge was withdrawn. Court documents allege that she communicated with the 15-year-old on social media. Ms Rae was arrested by the Child Abuse Squad in October last year, after an investigation into alleged child abuse. The teacher from a Lake Macquarie high school also pleaded not guilty to possessing child abuse material and grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity. She also denied allegedly intending to pervert the course of justice. Ms Rae wiped away tears as her brief committal hearing proceeded before Magistrate Ian Cheetham. Each charge was read out separately and Ms Rae replied "not guilty" on four occasions. Wednesday's committal hearing was uncontested and Magistrate Cheetham, satisfied with the evidence, committed the case to a higher court for trial. The case was adjourned to Newcastle District Court on July 3, when a trial date is expected to be set.
ABC News
13-05-2025
- ABC News
Alan Jones's lawyer says evidence 'blatantly contradictory' to indecent assault allegations
Alan Jones's lawyer has told a court the brief of evidence against the former broadcaster contains witness statements that are "blatantly contradictory" to the allegations against him. Mr Jones was arrested last year after a nine-month investigation by NSW Police's Child Abuse Squad, and is now facing dozens of historical indecent assault and sexual touching charges. It's alleged these assaults took place between 2001 and 2019. The case was briefly mentioned in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday morning, where it was adjourned for eight weeks. In court, the 83-year-old's lawyer Bryan Wrench suggested prosecutors should use the adjournment to "decide whether to proceed" with the case. "Witnesses said they have never seen Mr Jones engage in any sexually inappropriate behaviour at all," Mr Wrench told the court. Mr Jones was not in attendance during the Tuesday hearing, having been excused from appearing last year. He is facing charges including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, 20 counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault. NSW Police claimed he knew some of the alleged victims personally and professionally, and the youngest complainant was aged 17 years old when the alleged offences occurred. The most serious charge he faces is aggravated indecent assault, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment for each alleged offence. In March, police laid an additional charge involving an 11th complainant. After leaving his first court appearance in December, Mr Jones told the media he was not guilty and would be defending every charge against him. "I will not be engaging in a running commentary in the media. But, I want you to understand this: these allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth and you should know that prior to my arrest I was given no opportunity by police to answer any of these allegations," Mr Jones said. He is yet to formally enter a plea or be committed to trial. The matter will return to court on July 8.
Sky News AU
09-05-2025
- Sky News AU
NSW Police charge man, 26, following death of baby boy in Wagga Wagga
A man has been charged over his alleged role in the death of a baby boy. The four-week-old was rushed to Wagga Wagga Hospital, west of Canberra, in July 2023 with nurses finding the infant suffering from serious and unexplained injuries. The baby was in a critical condition and taken to Sydney Children's Hospital where there are more resources, but he tragically died three days later. State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad were notified about the death and launched Strike Force Wighton to investigate the suspicious death. After almost two years of investigations, detectives arrested a 26-year-old man in Albury CBD, near the border of New South Wales and Victoria. He was taken to a police station and charged with manslaughter. The man was known to the child. He has been refused bail to appear at Albury Local Court on Friday. Detective Inspector Peter Owen told reporters the baby allegedly suffered "numerous broken bones" as well as "other injuries" which he chose not to elaborate on. 'The death of an infant is tragic. Where there is suspected inflicted injuries is another level – that is abhorrent to people," he said. He revealed the four-week-old had been taken to hospital by the 26-year-old man, but could not divulge on the relationship between the infant and the accused. Det Insp Owen added the man had no history of domestic violence and no protective orders had been placed against him at the time of the alleged incident. The Wagga Wagga man was in Albury on Friday visiting children. Detectives are yet to interview the 26-year-old.
