Gillian Mary Woodyard: Great Southern woman to fight child sex charges in Albany District Court

A Great Southern woman will fight child sex charges alleged to have occurred while she ran a family daycare centre from her home in the 1990s. Gillian Mary Woodyard, 61, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday. She pleaded not guilty to one count of sexually penetrating a child under 13, one count of indecent dealing with a child under 13, and one count of procuring, encouraging, or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual behaviour. It is Ms Woodyard’s second appearance in court after she was charged by sex assault squad detectives for the offences which are alleged to have occurred between 1995 and 1996 in the Albany suburb of Yakamia. Police allege Ms Woodyard, who was in her 30s at the time, committed three sexual offences against a boy who was aged four or five. Ms Woodyard was represented by lawyer Bruno Illari who requested the charges be committed to the Albany District Court. Her bail was extended and she will next appear in Albany District Court on January 25, 2025. Any victim of sexual abuse or anyone that has information about someone being sexually abused is asked to contact police on 131 444, or report the information via the Safe2Say online reporting platform. If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.