Molesting dad bail bid

A TABLELANDS man who began molesting his sons when they were just four has denied he threatened to kill them and “bury them in the farm paddock” if they dobbed him in as he prepares a bid for bail.

The 69-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his children, has been in custody at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent treatment of children under 16 in the Mareeba Magistrates Court in May.

Police have alleged he sexually assaulted the two boys for about eight years in the 1970s and 1980s.

The incidents came to light when one of the victims, now in his 40s, made a complaint to police three years ago.

The man is set to make a bid for freedom today and in documents filed in the Cairns Supreme Court he said he wanted to return to Tasmania where he has been living with his wife to get his “affairs in order” before going to jail.

Police have alleged the couple only sold up and left for Tasmania after the youngest son complained. According to the documents, it was alleged both he and the other son, who is also aged in his 40s and living overseas, gave evidence to police about him threatening to “kill them all” if his offending was revealed.

It said the man had owned a gun at the time.

Police have alleged the boys were assaulted multiple times – up to five times per week on the youngest son.

The man has claimed he was not trying to run from the law when he and his wife moved to Tasmania, but had always dreamt of relocating after retirement.

He said he would agree to various conditions if granted bail including reporting to police, surrendering his passport and putting up a $5000 bond.