Norman pleads not guilty to child sex charges

An accused child sex offender could stand trial this year after pleading not guilty to 24 historic sex offences dating back more than three decades.

Kenneth Ernest Norman formally denied 24 charges in Albany Magistrates Court this morning, pleading not guilty to 19 counts of indecently dealing with a child under 14 years, three counts of indecently dealing with a girl under 13 years and two counts of unlawfully and indecently dealing with a girl under the age of 13 years.

Mr Norman acknowledged the charges read to him by Magistrates Raelene Johnston before entering not guilty pleas on each charge which allegedly occurred between 1971 and 1980 in Albany, Bremer Bay, Shark Bay, Walpole and Bremer Bay.

The court heard this morning Mr Norman had decided to plead not guilty after receiving advice from his senior defence counsel.

Child abuse squad detectives originally charged Mr Norman as a result of their investigation, alleging he sexually assaulted three girls under the age of 14, who were known to him, between 1970 and 1978.

The court previously heard last year four more complainants had emerged resulting in a further 13 charges being added by the prosecution.

Magistrate Johnston renewed Mr Norman’s bail with his next appearance in the Albany District Court on June 13. A trial date is expected to then be set.