Geraldton man charged after alleged child-sex offences

A Geraldton man arrested and charged this week over alleged sexual offences against the child of a woman he was dating was granted bail despite police fears he will try to interfere with his alleged victim and their mother. The 54-year-old was arrested by police on Wednesday and appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court the following day from police custody. He has been charged with four counts of indecent dealing with a child under 13 and one count of persistently engaging in sexual conduct with a child. Police prosecutor Acting Sergeant Glen Wishart told the court police allege the offences occurred over a two-year period from January 2019 to February 2021. He said police opposed bail because the investigating officers held “serious” concerns the accused would attempt to interfere with the complainant and the mother. But Magistrate Robert Young disagreed, saying despite the serious nature of the charges, no reason why he shouldn’t be given bail was put forward. “Although these are very serious and quite recent allegations,” he said. “It’s not been put to me he would be a flight risk or a risk of reoffending.” The accused was represented by duty lawyer Kate Fry who said he had his own home and would follow any protective bail conditions the magistrate saw fit. The man was given bail yesterday on a $5000 personal undertaking, ordered not to contact or attempt to contact the two people, or be within 50m of where they live, work or are educated. He will return to the same court in March.