An accused child sexual offender has faced court from an aged care bed in Queensland in a hearing where a Melbourne magistrate questioned if he was even awake.
Ray Cosgriff, 82, is facing 26 charges of indecent assault over allegations he sexually abused seven boys.
It's alleged offending took place in Moorabbin, Beaumaris and Hampton between 1967 and 1976.
A camera positioned near Cosgriff's feet showed him pulling the sheet over his head, and at other times clutching his face with both hands.
The magistrate questioned if Cosgriff was awake at the start of the brief hearing on Friday.
“He is awake. I believe he is,” his lawyer replied.
She told the court she believed he was bedridden because of old age, and not some other condition.
Cosgriff, who is on bail and still living in Ipswich in Queensland, is due to face court again for a committal mention on October 27.
Nursing home staff sat him up in bed as he was told his bail was extended to the next hearing date.
“Thank you,” he said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
