A former Salvation Army officer has been charged following an investigation into child sex offences alleged to have occurred at a boys’ home in Sydney’s south more than 40 years ago.
In 2014, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad established Strike Force Lehmann to investigate allegations of sexual and physical abuse at two boys’ homes at Bexley and Goulburn in the 1960s and 1970s.
The allegations were raised at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 79-year-old man at Broken Hill Police Station about 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 31 October 2019).
He was charged with ten counts of indecent assault on male.
Police will allege in court that the man, who was a Salvation Army officer, indecently assaulted three boys – then aged between eight and 12 – at the Bexley boys’ home on a number of occasions between 1976 and 1978.
The man appeared at Broken Hill Local Court yesterday, where he was granted strict conditional bail to re-appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday 19 November 2019.
Investigations are continuing.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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