newy.com.au – A 78 year old man arrested at a Stockton home has been charged with 21 offences following an investigation into alleged child sexual assaults on the Mid North Coast between 1980 and 1990.
Police said the alleged offences occurred in Bellangry, about 50km west of Port Macquarie. Mid North Coast detectives established Strike Force Franbach in May 2026 to investigate multiple reports.
Investigators, assisted by Newcastle City police, executed a search warrant at a home on Mitchell Street, Stockton, about 9.30am on Thursday 24 September.
Police said they seized several items for forensic examination. The man was arrested at the property and taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged.
The charges include six counts of aggravated sexual assault involving an alleged victim under the accused’s authority, four counts of sexual assault involving an indecent act with a person under 16, and two counts of sexual assault of a person under 16.
He also faces four counts of aggravated indecency involving an alleged victim under 16 and under his authority, three counts of inciting a person under 16 to commit an act of indecency, and two counts of committing an act of indecency with or towards a person under 16.
The man was refused bail before appearing at Bail Division Court 2 on Friday 25 September, where bail was again refused.
He is due to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court on Thursday 19 November.
