CHILD abuse squad detectives have laid a raft of new charges against an Armidale piercer who they now allege has sexually abused three teenage girls and a woman.
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James David McKenzie now faces 19 allegations including sexual or indecent assault, accused of abusing girls aged 15, 16, 17, and now a 21-year-old woman.
McKenzie, who was represented by solicitor Frank Falcomata in Armidale Local Court on Wednesday, had seven new charges of assault with an act of indecency laid against him.
He is being held in custody.
Police will allege McKenzie indecently abused a 21-year-old woman at an Armidale home in October, last year.
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The charges are in addition to five offences laid in June against McKenzie who detectives claim sexually assaulted two girls, aged 16 and 17, between June and July 2018.
He came to the attention of the Tamworth office of the Child Abuse Squad earlier this year, when he was first charged with attacking a 15-year-old girl he met on social media in March.
Detectives allege that McKenzie offered the 15-year-old girl money and drugs for sexual intercourse.
He has not been required to enter pleas to the 19 charges against him. He faces ten counts of assault with an act of indecency; three counts of aggravated sex assault of a victim under the age of 16; two charges of aggravated sexual assault and depriving liberty; intentionally sexually touching a child under 16; producing child abuse material; procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity; and performing body piercing on the nipples of a child.
McKenzie made no application for bail on Wednesday and it was formally refused by magistrate Mal MacPherson who adjourned the case to September.
McKenzie has been behind bars since a raid on his Armidale home on May 23, as part of the investigation by the Child Abuse Squad. A police spokesperson said investigations are continuing.