William Skelland on Thursday faced Melbourne Magistrates Court accused of assaulting six people, now in their 50s and 60s, at a Burwood boys' home in 1973 and 1974.

He was extradited to Melbourne on July 9 and had previously been in custody in the UK since December 2019, the court was told.

The 81-year-old has been charged with 27 offences, including buggery of a male under 14 and indecent assault.

Skelland broke down during his last court appearance in October, telling magistrate Donna Bakos during an online hearing he would plead guilty and wanted it "all over with".

"Im sorry, I'm so sorry," he said.

But Skelland's lawyer Josie Giarrusso on Thursday said her client had reverted back to his original instructions and wanted to fight some of the charges once again.

"He was feeling upset," Ms Giarrusso told the court.

"He is in custody and has been for a long time. He was feeling hopeless about his situation, but since then has reflected on what he wants to do and his instructions remain the same."

In response Ms Bakos said: "If ever there was a case that should be settled - this is the one."

Ms Giarrusso later said her client had instructed her that he wanted to dispute some of the allegations and test the recollections of the six complainants.

"Doesn't the literature tell you that most victims of such events don't ever forget?" Ms Bakos responded.

Skelland has been remanded in custody and is expected to face a three-day committal hearing from February 7.

Australian Associated Press