A MAGISTRATE has refused a plea to suppress the name of a former Armidale dentist charged with historic child sex offences.
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Werner Otto Schwarz, 79, appeared before the local court on Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting two boys on numerous occasions in the early 1980s when they were patients in his surgery.
His defence solicitor Emalene Gemmell asked for a non-publication order to conceal her client’s identity, saying publishing his name could lead to “prejudice and undue distress” for Schwarz.
Magistrate Karen Stafford, however, said it was in the public interest to reveal his name which would allow other alleged victims to come forward.
“Your submission is not overwhelming enough that I should supress his name,” Magistrate Stafford said.
“Court should be conducted in an open way … we need open justice for a very serious offence and that should be conducted in an open way, especially when it is a significant issue.
“These are very serious allegations.”
Schwarz has yet to enter a plea to 15 charges relating to the boys, who were aged between nine and 15 at the time of the alleged assault.
The charges include six counts of sexual assault and commit an act of indecency, six counts of sexual assault and commit an act of indecency on a person under the age of 16, two counts of sexual assault of a person under the age of 16 and a charge of sexual assault knowing no consent was given.
Schwarz was arrested by detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad on September 24 as part of Strike Force Holbeach.
In court prosecutor Jim McDonald said the case has yet to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions with police investigations continuing.
“There may be further charges laid and investigations are continuing,” Sergeant McDonald said.
“It may be a bit longer … with other alleged victims coming forward.”
Schwarz will return to court on December 17.