Former umpiring coach to face court on historical sex abuse charges

A man has been arrested after allegedly abusing a teenage boy in the 1980s. Photo: ACT Police.

A former Australian rules football umpiring coach will face court today on historical sex abuse charges.

ACT Policing Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT) detectives arrested the 68-year-old man following an investigation into his alleged persistent sexual abuse of a 16‑year‑old boy in the 1980s.

Police will allege that he met, groomed and abused the boy while he was the victim’s Australian rules football umpiring coach between 1985 and 1986.

Police arrested the man at his home in Denman Prospect on Thursday evening (13 July 2023).

The man has been charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four counts of acts of indecency without consent and he is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court today.

Police said he was known to have been involved with numerous community organisations and attended community events since the mid-1980s.

He may have lived in South Australia before coming to the ACT.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact police.

The investigation is continuing and more charges may be laid.

Anyone with information relating to this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers from anywhere in Australia on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website, please quote ACT Policing reference 7377320.