Alleged child sexual abuser linked to Adelaide youth detention facility granted bail

A 73-year-old man from Adelaide's western suburbs has been granted home detention bail after being charged with dozens of alleged sexual offences, including against children.

The man, whose identity has been suppressed, is accused of crimes against 29 victim-survivors over more than two decades and has been charged with 55 offences. Police said the man had access to the now-closed Magill Training Centre, which closed in 2012, but was not a government employee.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court today, Magistrate Patrick Hill granted the man bail with strict conditions on the basis that the offending was historic.

"The allegations are of course extremely serious," Magistrate Hill said.

"Had the last alleged offence occurred recently, then plainly the applicant would present an unacceptably high bail risk, but given that 20 years have elapsed since the last allegation, given his age now, given the availability of home detention … I'm minded to grant bail."

The prosecution had been opposed to all forms of bail. The defendant will be electronically monitored and unable to leave his home detention address except in emergencies. He will also be subject to mandatory child-related restrictions and was given an extensive list of people he is not to contact in relation to the charges and ongoing investigation.

Charges against the man include multiple counts of rape, unlawful sexual intercourse, sexual abuse of a child, gross indecency and indecent assault. The man will return to court for a charge determination hearing in January.