18.2 C
Byron Shire
June 23, 2026

Charges over alleged historical sexual assault of three girls – Tweed Heads

Latest News

No Small Thing: NRCF Women’s Giving Circle event, Murwillumbah

Cheek Media founder, Hannah Ferguson, will headline a panel of prominent women leaders at the Regent Theatre in Murwillumbah next Thursday, in an event the organisers say brings, 'the kind of line-up you'd usually travel to Sydney for' to the Northern Rivers.

Other News

New maternity unit at Grafton Base Hospital

Pregnant women and their families across the Clarence Valley will benefit from an upgraded purpose-built maternity unit following a $20 million funding boost from the NSW government.

Byron Council budget up for discussion as rates rise looms

There is a potential 30 per cent or more rate rise in the wind for Byron Shire ratepayers by 2030. What’s needed is clear and concise budget documentation, accessible to your average ratepayer. It would seem the least Byron Shire Council (BSC) could provide in accordance with commitments to inform the community.

Wyuna 1 freed from Belongil Beach

There's been a happy ending to the saga of Jeff Sutton's yacht Wyuna 1, which has been beached near Elements at North Belongil since early May, after being damaged in heavy weather.

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Lismore Council spruiks 150 projects since 2022 floods

A milestone of 150 projects has been reached since the 2022 disasters, says Lismore City Council.

LECC find police failed in their duty in the death of Lindy Lucena

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s Operation Almas has criticised the police response to the violent death of Ballina woman Lindy Lucena at the hands of her partner in 2023.

NSW Police say a man has been extradited from Queensland and charged over the alleged historical sexual assault of three young girls in the state’s north.

In November last year, detectives attached to Tweed/Byron Police District commenced an investigation after receiving a referral from Victoria Police (VICPOL) in relation to alleged sexual assault offences.

During the investigation, police received information relating to three girls – then aged eight, 11 and 13 – who had allegedly been sexually assaulted by a man known to them on several occasions between 1995 and 2004 at locations including Doon Doon, Baryugil and Tenterfield.

Following extensive inquiries, officers obtained an arrest warrant for a 67-year-old Queensland man.

On Monday 13 September 2021, investigators, with assistance from Queensland Police (QPOL), arrested a 67-year-old man at a home at Waterford West in Logan.

The man appeared at Beenleigh Magistrates Court, where investigators applied for, and were granted, the man’s extradition to NSW.

He was escorted to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he was subsequently charged with outstanding arrest warrants and 12 offences including four counts of sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years, six counts of aggravated indecent assault (victim under authority of offender), aggravated sex assault (victim under authority of offender) and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.

The man was refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court on Wednesday 15 September 2021, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court today (Friday, 12 November).



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Consultation closes Friday on Lismore’s 60,000 population plans

The future of Lismore is now up for discussion, with Council's Strategic Planning Framework currently out for public exhibition. Now is your time to have your say – consultation closes 26 June.

Science in the Pub, Lismore, 16 July

An engaging and informative Science in the Pub event is planned on Thursday, 16 July, from 5pm at Two Mates Brewing, South Lismore.

Six dwellings proposed on flood-prone Mullum block

Six units are proposed at the eastern end of New City Road, Mullumbimby, on a site that was inundated during the 2022 floods. Submitted by Duncan Band's Kollective, Development Application (DA) 10.2026.269.1 at 73 New City Road is on public exhibition with Byron Shire Council, and sits within the Shire's flood planning area.

Mullum Scout Hall fire overnight

At 1.45am this morning the NSW Fire and Rescue Mullumbimby Station 388 Sans and Brunswick Station 240 were called to a fire at the Mullumbimby Scout Hall.