PROSECUTORS have finalised the charges against the man accused of abducting and repeatedly sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl at Adamstown Heights in June, including fresh allegations that he used the young girl to make child abuse material.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brett David Hill, now 48, appeared briefly in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday via audio visual link from the protective custody wing of a Sydney jail before DPP solicitor Kylie Henry told Magistrate David Price she had recently filed a charge certificate containing 17 offences.
The charges include nine counts of aggravated sexual assault on a victim under the age of 16, kidnapping with intent to commit a serious indictable offence and occasion actual bodily harm, three counts of using a child under 14 years to make child abuse material, two counts of indecent assault, using an offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence and possession of child abuse material.
Each of the aggravated sexual assault offences carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.
Two counts of indecent assault were withdrawn by the DPP.
But a number of fresh charges, including those relating to making and possessing child abuse material, had been laid this week.
A charge certificate is a document setting out what offences are to proceed when the matter is ultimately committed to the district court.
Mr Hill, who is now represented by Sydney solicitor Ross Hill, has not entered any pleas and the matter was adjourned until February 20 so that a case conference between the defence and prosecution can be held in January.
Mr Hill, who had an address at New Lambton listed in court documents, will then be required to enter pleas and the matter will be committed to Newcastle District Court.
Mr Hill is accused of abducting the 11-year-old girl as she was walking through Hudson Park about 9.15am on June 12.
Mr Hill was allegedly armed with a pair of scissors, according to court documents.
Over the next five hours, Mr Hill is accused of repeatedly sexually and indecently assaulting the girl and allegedly filmed some of the assaults.
The girl was released at Kotara railway station about 2.15pm the same day.
She raised the alarm, triggering a massive manhunt, which included police combing the surrounding area for evidence and calling for witnesses and information.
Mr Hill was arrested driving a red Holden Commodore in Beaumont Street on June 16, four days after the alleged abduction.
Police allege that at the time of his arrest he had in his possession child abuse material, according to court documents.
