Geraldton detectives charge two men for alleged sex assault of 12yo girl at Batavia Motor Inne

A derelict motel in Geraldton has been revealed as the scene of a third alleged sex attack in less than two years — with the latest victim a 12-year-old girl. Geraldton detectives have charged a second man as a result of their investigation into an alleged sexual assault on March 15 at the notorious Batavia Motor Inne. Police allege between 11.30am and 4pm, George Windie, 39, and Chad James Broad, 46, befriended a 12-year-old girl, supplied her with alcohol and took her to the abandoned Fitzgerald Street site where she was sexually assaulted. It comes after Victorian man James Sbresni was jailed for five years for raping a 14-year-old girl at the site in June 2021 after spending months grooming her via Snapchat. A fourth man, Norman Gilbert, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of raping a woman at the Batavia Motor Inne in December 2022. The derelict site has also been the scene of a series of violent antisocial incidents and fires. Fencing was installed at the site in late January, however, the gates have remained open since while the council and community services helped homeless squatters find alternative accommodation. The owners of the site say they received a letter from the City of Greater Geraldton on Wednesday night requesting the gates be closed and locked following the latest incident. “The city has reviewed the situation in light of the most recent serious incident on site and is now requesting that the gates be closed and locked as soon as the last people on site are removed,” the letter read, according to the owners. “The city is working with the Department of Communities, local police and support agencies to achieve this.” City chief executive Ross McKim said the opening and closing of the Batavia Motor Inne gates was the responsibility of the land owners. The city has been working to relocate people from the site. “To facilitate the relocation of people residing on site and in discussion with the police and support agencies, we proposed to the owners that they leave the gates open until this was completed,” Mr McKim said. “With a majority of the people now residing elsewhere, we strongly encourage 54 Fitzgerald to close the gates.” Mr McKim confirmed the city would continue its legal action against the owners 54 Fitzgerald — consisting of directors Joe Scaffidi (property developer and husband of ex-Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi), Anthony Scaffidi and Michael O’Sullivan — that was launched in November last year after failing to demolish the site within 90 days. “For a number of months now, the city has been working with 54 Fitzgerald to progress demolition of the site and putting up substantial fencing was part of that process,” he said. “The city, with support from involved agencies, are in agreement that the gates on the site now need to be closed for public safety.” A Department of Communities spokesperson said the Batavia Motor Inne was privately owned and the department had “absolutely no” jurisdiction over the site, however, representatives from WA Alliance to End Homelessness, WA Police, the City and the department had mutually agreed to close the fences. “The Department of Communities’ position is that privately owned sites should be secured as soon as possible to maintain public safety,” they said. “In response to the proposed demolition, a multi-agency group met to progress site closure planning, and it has subsequently been agreed to, by all stakeholders to fully close and lock the fences, given the delay in demolition by the private owner. “Communities will continue to work with local outreach services to support those may be sleeping rough into suitable accommodation.” Mr Windie, from Wandina, was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent dealing of a child under 13 years and appeared in court on Thursday, but did not apply for bail. He was arrested on Wednesday morning at an address in Wandina. Mr Windie is next due to appear before the Geraldton’s Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 27. Mr Broad, from Rangeway, appeared in court on Friday, March 24 charged with two counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13 years and aggravated indecent dealing of a child under 13 years. Mr Broad’s bail was not considered and his case adjourned until Tuesday, April 4.