Former Camera Operator Trevor Scroop Stands Trial for Child Abuse Offences

A 65-year-old man has appeared in court, charged with more than 40 offences against children. Trevor James Scroop, a former camera operator, has pleaded not guilty to charges including the sexual abuse of a child.

The trial, being held in South Australia's District Court, has heard that Scroop allegedly physically and sexually abused dozens of young boys from Adelaide and remote parts of the Northern Territory while they were in his care. Prosecutor Paul Tate told the court there were 30 known alleged victims, who were aged between 5 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending.

According to the court, Scroop was able to gain access to his alleged victims through his personal connections to First Nations communities and his employment. The court heard that Scroop, who was married to a First Nations woman, was trusted by parents in the Northern Territory to take their children for trips to Adelaide and was recognised as an "initiated man" within one particular community.

The trial also heard that Scroop interacted with young boys while working at SANFL matches, and would take one alleged victim to his office while he was staying with him.