The man is facing 136 charges for alleged physical and sexual abuse. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence and sexual offences (including child sex abuse).
A Canberra man has been handed 136 charges relating to alleged physical and sexual abuse committed over a nearly 20-year period.
The 39-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wasn’t in court when his case was listed in the ACT Magistrates Court for a first mention on Tuesday (10 December).
An ACT Policing spokesperson said his alleged offending occurred between 2002 and 2020.
Following an investigation conducted by ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations team, 11 alleged victims have been identified.
In court, the man entered pleas of not guilty to all charges through his lawyer.
His charges include incest, sexual assault in the second and third degree, sexual intercourse without consent, the persistent sexual abuse of a child, committing an act of indecency on a child under 10 years and on a young person under 16 years, making a reckless threat to kill, burglary, possessing an offensive weapon with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.
Prosecutor Soraya Saikal-Skea said her office had compiled “key parts” of the brief of evidence.
Magistrate Jane Campbell agreed to a joint submission from the lawyers that the man’s name be suppressed to avoid identifying the alleged victims.
He will next face court in January 2025.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
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