Guilty plea in child sex case

A West Coast man charged with numerous sexual assaults on children changed his plea yesterday afternoon, admitting a representative charge mid-trial in the Greymouth District Court.

The man - who was given interim name suppression for the duration of the judge-alone trial - was facing nine charges, allegedly committed between May 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

He faced one charge of doing an indecent act on a young person, seven charges of doing an indecent act on a child, and one of making an intimate visual recording.

The trial had been scheduled to continue into tomorrow, however part-way through one of the complainants' evidence yesterday afternoon the defendant pleaded guilty to one representative charge of doing an indecent act on a child, for offences committed between February 1, 2013 and June 30, 2013.

He was discharged on one count of doing an indecent act on a young person, while all other charges against the defendant were withdrawn due to no evidence being offered.

The man was remanded on bail for sentencing tomorrow morning. He has made an offer of reparations to his victims.

- From the Greymouth Star

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