Great Southern man pleads guilty to 23 child sex abuse charges, intends to plead guilty to further 16

A Great Southern man has admitted 23 child sex abuse charges and indicated he will plead guilty to 16 more, most of which are against a member of his own family. The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to 23 child abuse offences in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday, appearing via video link from Hakea Prison. Most of the offences were committed in the Great Southern and Perth from October 25, 2019, to May 7, 2024, with one charge for producing child abuse material dating back to January 26, 2000. Ten of the charges were committed against a child relative and included sexual penetration, indecent dealing and indecent recording. The man also produced and involved a child in child abuse material on 13 occasions. The offender will next appear in Albany District Court on October 30 for a trial listing hearing for a further 16 related offences. However, his lawyer Elizabeth Hamilton said her client intends to change his pleas to guilty for those charges. The man will then appear in Albany District Court on January 15, 2025, for a sentence mention list.