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October 20, 2026

Man charged with indecent assault at Lismore pool

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A man will face court after being charged with an alleged indecent assault of a teenage boy at a Lismore swimming pool, while Tweed police are looking for another man who made indecent suggestions to a girl at her home.

Police say that at about 7am Wednesday (June 8), a 58-year-old man allegedly indecently assaulted a 14-year-old boy in the change rooms of a public swimming pool at Lismore.

The mother subsequently reported the matter to the police.

About 7.45am Friday (October 13) detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad arrested a 58-year-old man at Lismore.

He was taken to Lismore Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated indecent assault.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Lismore Local Court on Tuesday 24 October, 2017.

Man sought

The other incident occurred about 1.40pm on Friday (October 13), in Bilambil Heights, when a young girl answered a knock at the front door of her family home.

She was met by a male described as being in his late thirties or early forties, with an olive complexion approximately six foot tall, scruffy dark beard, jet-black scruffy hair, black circles around his eyes, wearing a navy t-shirt, brown coloured stretch jeans, no shoes and a large gold necklace.

The man, who spoke with an American accent, made inappropriate renarks to the child, but left when she alerted her mother.

Police are making further inquiries in relation to this incident and are asking for public assistance to try and locate the man.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

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