Former foster carer arrested in Geraldton on charges of historic child sex crimes

A former foster carer from the State’s south-east has been charged with 18 historical child sex offences after he was arrested in Geraldton this week. The man in his 50’s, who cannot be named as it may identify the victim, appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Friday on 13 counts of rape and five counts of indecent dealings with a child between the ages of 13 and 16. Prosecutor Sgt Tanya Wentzel said all of the charges related to one victim who came forward to police, but the man had acted as a foster carer for many years. “It’s a strong case,” she said. “She’s provided strong particularisation of the offences.” “They will obviously have to follow it up given the nature of the allegations and his involvement in the Department of Communities.” The offences are alleged to have occurred in 2012 and 2013. He was given strict bail by Magistrate Nicholas Lemmon which included a $5000 surety, reporting to police twice a week and prevented from contacting the alleged victim. “These are historical crimes, they’re very serious,” Mr Lemmon said. However that is not in my view enough to deny bail.” He was ordered to hand in his working with children check, not to have unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18 or leave the state. He will reappear in the same court in December.