46-year-old Great Southern man in position of authority pleads not guilty to eight child sex offences

A Great Southern man in a position of authority has pleaded not guilty to a string of child sex offences. The 46-year-old appeared in Katanning Magistrates Court on Tuesday facing eight counts of a person in authority indecently dealing with a child, including two counts of sexually penetrating a child under their authority. He pleaded not guilty to all charges related to indecent dealings with a child, sexual penetration of a child, and indecently recording a child — all under his authority. It is alleged the man committed the offences involving a 17-year-old between July 1 and August 24. The accused made his first appearance in Katanning Magistrates Court on September 5 on two counts of a person in authority indecently dealing with a child on July 31 and August 16. At his next appearance on October 3, a further six charges were added, including two counts of penetration, three of indecent dealing, and one of indecently recording. The case has been moved to the Perth Magistrates Court for a committal hearing on January 9, 2024.