64yo bailed on child sex charges

The 64-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was granted conditional bail to reside in Gunnedah after spending more than a month in custody.

The man had been refused bail by a Tamworth magistrate on February 12 after the court found he failed to show cause why he should not be detained.

He is charged with 11 separate child sex offences including five counts of attempted sexual 

intercourse with a child under 16 and under authority, three counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 16 and under authority, and three counts of indecent assault of a victim under authority and under the age of 16.

Detectives will allege the offences date back to the late 1980s and were committed against a young girl, who police believe was 14-years-old at the time.

Following a lengthy investigation, the 64-year-old was arrested and charged on February 11.

Much of the detail surrounding the case has been suppressed by the court.

The man lodged a fresh bid for release which was heard in the NSW Supreme Court last week, before he was granted bail by Justice Michael Adams.

The case returned to Tamworth Local Court last week where it was told only a partial brief of evidence had been served against the accused.

The court heard a transcript of alleged conversations made was missing and the defence required a couple of months for negotiations.

Magistrate Mal Macpherson granted the DPP extra time to serve the brief.

The case will head back to court in May with the man to remain on conditional bail.