September 18, 2012

Man charged with sex abuse of toddler

By David Clarkson

A Christchurch man has been charged with sexual violation of a girl aged two or three years.

The 73-year-old retired man appeared before Judge Michael Crosbie in Christchurch District Court yesterday facing a total of five charges.

Judge Crosbie remanded him in custody to Thursday at the request of defence counsel Paul Norcross.

The police are opposing bail but Norcross said a bail application might be made on Thursday.

The charge sheets indicate the girl was aged seven in 2006 when the man is charged with assaulting her. Her age would have been two or three in 2001 and 2002 when he is charged with sexually violating her.

He is also charged with indecently assaulting a second girl in 2001, 2005, and 2006.

No pleas have been entered.