AN ARMIDALE magistrate has refused to gag the name of a man facing child sex offences in the hopes any other victims might be prompted to come forward.
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Christopher Levy appeared in the Armidale Local Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of committing an act of indecency on a victim under 10 years and one charge of sexual intercourse with a person under 10 years.
No pleas have been formally entered.
Defence lawyer Phillip Hamblin made a request to suppress Levy’s name when he appeared in court on November 17.
But Magistrate Karen Stafford declined this application.
She said that in similar cases, seeing the accused’s name in media reports had empowered more victims to come forward.
But a non-publication order remains on identifying alleged victims.
The matter was committed to trial when Levy waived his right to a committal hearing on Wednesday.
He was charged after a police search of his home last year.
Officers seized mobile phones, a computer and small children’s underwear.
It was also claimed that following the assault on one of the children, Levy contacted the mother of his victim to try pursue further sexual encounters with the child.
Levy applied for bail on November 17 last year.
At that time, his father proposed Levy live on an isolated property near Tingha, where he would have no access to children.
But the prosecution claimed Levy posed an unacceptable risk, arguing the alleged attempt to engage in further sexual relations with the children by contacting a victim’s mother indicated he was likely to re-offend.
Mr Hamblin made no application for bail on Wednesday.
Levy will face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison if convicted.
He will remain in custody until the matter goes to a Sydney judge on April 8, at which a trial date will be set.