Riverina pair charged after child abuse sting front court

A 45-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing child sexual assault charges and a number of other assault charges following the State Crime Command’s arrest spree under Strike Force Hermoyne.

The man and a 38-year-old woman, who stands accused of perjury, were arrested and taken to Griffith police station on Thursday.

The pair was refused bail on Friday morning and will appear before a Sydney court next week via video link. 

The 45-year-old is currently facing charges including six counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, four counts of indecent assault, sexual intercourse with a child aged between 10 and 14, aggravated act of indecency, and common assault.

Six more people in South Australia and Western Australia were swept up in the raids as NSW Police detectives crossed borders to issue warrants. 

Three people – a woman and two men – were arrested in the Northam area of Western Australia and taken to Perth police station, where they were charged with NSW arrest warrants.

A 36-year-old man’s arrest warrant is for four counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, two of indecent assault and having sexual intercourse with a child aged between 10 and 14.

A 51-year-old woman was charged with a warrant for perjury and a 48-year-old man was charged with counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10.

Meanwhile, in South Australia, a 29-year-old man is facing an arrest warrant for two counts of incest with a person under the age of 16 years.

Two women – aged 50 and 34 – will answer to warrants for perjury.

The trio was arrested in the Riverland region of the state and charged at Berri police station.

Police will formally apply for their extradition in court on Friday.