A 76-year-old Broome man has been extradited from Italy to face a raft of child sex offence charges in Western Australia after spending nine years on the run.
WA Police Force detectives, with the assistance of the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, were granted approval to extradite the man, who was charged in 2011 with 32 offences before fleeing WA prior to his court appearance.
Guardia di Finanza (Italian Police) arrested the man near Venice in March.
Central Criminal Police Directorate notified WA Police via Interpol of his arrest and with the assistance of the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, a request was made to Italy for his extradition.
Detectives from Broome and Child Abuse Squad travelled to Milan to collect the man and escort him back to Perth.
It is alleged the man’s offences occurred in Broome between 2007 and 2011.
The man currently has four outstanding WA arrest warrants relating to child sexual offences:
• 11 counts of Indecently Record a Child under 13 years;
• 6 counts of Sexual Penetration of a Child under 13 years;
• 4 counts of Procured or Encouraged a Child to Engage in Sexual Behaviour;
• 4 counts of Possess Child Exploitation Material;
• 5 counts of Indecent Dealings with a Child under 13 years;Â
• 1 count of Procured or Encouraged a Child to do an Indecent Act, and
• 1 counts of Intent to Expose a Person under 13 years to Indecent Matter.
The man and detectives arrived back in Perth last night, and the man will appear via video link to the Perth Magistrates Court today.
