NSW Far South Coast Man Pleads Guilty to Historical Child Sexual Abuse

A NSW Far South Coast man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing six children between 2004 and 2017. The man, in his mid-30s, cannot be named for legal reasons. He pleaded guilty in Batemans Bay Local Court to eight counts of sexual intercourse with a child.

The abuse involved five boys and a girl at two locations on the Far South Coast. The man appeared via video link from Nowra’s South Coast Correctional Centre, supported by two elderly family members.

His lawyer, Adam Sumbak, said the guilty plea would be a “huge relief” for the victims. The case was mentioned in court 21 times over more than two years, delayed due to the case’s sensitivity, complexity, and police staff shortages.

The man was arrested in late 2023, leading NSW Police to set up a task force. Prosecutors previously stated he worked at a local primary school and had two children in his care at the time of arrest.

The offending began at 14 with the abuse of an eight-year-old boy in 2004, continuing with assaults on children of various ages until 2017. Sentencing is set for Bega District Court on October 6 via video link.