A FORMER Armidale dentist has been ordered to stand trial on several historic child sex offences, after two of his alleged victims gave evidence in court.
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The men, who were aged just nine and 15 when they claim they were abused in the early 1980s, detailed their alleged experiences at the hands of Werner Otto Schwarz during a committal hearing in Armidale Local Court on Tuesday.
The pair, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, gave evidence and were cross-examined by Schwarz’s defence barrister, Chris Taylor, in a closed court, after contacting police in late 2013.
The allegations sparked a police operation by detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad, code-named Strike Force Holbeach, and culminated in Schwarz’s arrest in September last year.
During the proceedings this week, Director of Public Prosecutions solicitor Mark Heffernan said police had been examining several allegations against Schwarz.
“There are a number of statements from various people who came forward as a result of media reports,” Mr Heffernan said.
“A number make statements about the ... use of hypnosis and massage.
“[They] allege inappropriate conduct during these sessions.”
Following the hearing on Tuesday, Magistrate Karen Stafford found there was enough evidence for a judge and jury to consider, and ordered the 80-year-old former dentist to stand trial.
He was committed for trial on 16 offences in relation to indecent assault on the boys between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1982, while 12 other related offences were transferred to the district court on a back-up 166 certificate.
Schwarz was also committed for trial on two counts of an indecent assault on a third victim, who was not required to give evidence this week.
Investigators allege the boy, who was 14 at the time, was indecently assaulted in 1982 by Schwarz at his surgery in Armidale.
Two other offences of assault and act of indecency, relating to the same victim, were transferred to the Armidale District Court on a back-up certificate.
The cases have now been adjourned to September to try to find a trial date – which is not expected to be until next year.
Schwarz remains on bail.