Former school worker admits to sexual abuse of children

A man who worked with children in New South Wales' Far South Coast has admitted to a string of historical sexual abuse offences, pleading guilty to eight charges in Batemans Bay Local Court. The man, in his mid-30s and currently held at South Coast Correctional Centre, appeared via video link to confirm his guilty pleas for offences spanning from 2004 to 2017.

Originally facing 59 charges, the accused has now pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual intercourse with a child. Court documents reveal the abuse involved five boys and one girl, occurring at two locations on the Far South Coast over a decade. His offending began at age 14, when he assaulted an eight-year-old boy, and continued through his teenage years and into adulthood.

His lawyer, Adam Sumbak, stated outside court that the guilty plea offered a "huge relief" for the victims and the community. The case, which has been mentioned in court 21 times over two years, faced delays attributed to the case's complexity and police staff shortages. The man was arrested in late 2023, leading to the formation of a police task force investigating further allegations.

The former school worker, who reportedly had two children in his care at the time of his arrest, will be sentenced in Bega District Court on October 6. Prosecutors detailed that his offending included repeated assaults on younger children and continued into adulthood, involving a boy who later became a teenager.

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For the victims, the community at large and the offender, it is a huge relief to have these matters move forward.