Norman set to plead not guilty

A 77-year-old Albany man accused of indecently dealing with children more than three decades ago intends to plead not guilty to new charge, a court has heard.

Kenneth Ernest Norman appeared in Albany Magistrate’s Court today facing 23 counts of indecent dealings with children when a new charge was added.

It is alleged Mr Norman indecently dealt with a child under the age of 14 between February 1986 and December 1986 in Coral Bay.

When the charge was read to Mr Norman, an indicated plea of not guilty was entered.

At Mr Norman’s last appearance in November the court heard four more complainants had emerged and another 13 counts of indecent dealing with a child were added.

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.

Defence lawyer Tony Chilvers requested Mr Norman’s bail be varied at his next appearance on January 24 before the charges move to a committal mention date on March 9 where formal pleas are expected.