October 8, 2026
Newcastle man charged over historic Mid North Coast sex offences

Newcastle man charged over historic Mid North Coast sex offences

DETECTIVES have charged a 78-year-old man following an investigation into alleged child sexual assaults that reportedly occurred more than 30 years ago on the Mid North Coast.

In May, Mid North Coast Police District officers established Strike Force Franbach to investigate multiple reports of alleged historical sexual assaults alleged to have occurred between 1980 and 1990 in Bellangry, west of Wauchope.

Following extensive inquiries, investigators from Mid North Coast Police District and Newcastle executed a search warrant at a home on Mitchell Street, Stockton and seized a number of items for forensic examination.

A 78-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with 21 offences involving assaults on a child under 16.

He was refused bail and will appear in Port Macquarie Local Court on Thursday, 19 November.

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