Geoffrey Croft was released from a local prison this week after spending four days in custody on historical child sex charges.

Investigators allege the 69-year-old abused a boy and a girl in separate incidents in the 1970s in the New England.

Magistrate Michael Holmes said Croft was an unacceptable risk of interfering with witnesses or evidence but granted “strict” bail on the conditions that he not leave the Northern Tablelands, except to visit a solicitor in Tamworth.

“I imposed very, very strict conditions for bail including some substantial cash amounts,” he told court, examining the papers.

As part of the bail, Croft must remain in Armidale and report to police everyday.

He is prohibited from contacting the alleged victims or any crown witnesses.

Croft was ordered to surrender his passport, he must not apply for a new one, and he’s also prohibited from approaching any international departure point out of Australia.

Police allege the accused was supervising the children when the offences occurred, but the incidents are alleged to have occurred at different times and they are not related.

It is alleged the accused indecently assaulted a young boy when he was approximately 12-years-old in the 1970s.

Detectives also allege the accused assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the 1970s.

Croft has not been required to enter pleas to the charges of two counts of indecent assault on a male, one count of assaulting a female and committing an act of indecency on a child over 16 and one charge of rape.

Mr Holmes refused to put a non-publication order on the name of the accused, but any details tending to identify the alleged victims is suppressed.

Croft appeared in court on Wednesday flanked by his wife and agent solicitor Frank Falcomata.

Crown solicitor Luke Boenisch said the DPP had taken charge of the matter, which could see it listed for trial or sentence in the district court, and asked for a brief of evidence to be served.

Mr Falcomata also asked for Croft to be excused when the matter returns to court in May, but the application was rejected.

"No, these are too serious matters, he's to be here," Mr Holmes said. "He lives in Armidale, he can come to court."

The investigation was first launched by police in late-2012, and following extensive investigations, culminated in Croft’s arrest by Armidale detectives on March 1.