A member of a controversial Victorian church has cried as he faced court after handing himself in to police for alleged child sexual abuse offences.
The 36-year-old East Geelong man appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday 27 January charged with sexual penetration of a child under 16, three counts of sexual assault and possessing child abuse material.
Victoria Police said the man, who is a member of Geelong Revival Centre, attended a police station on Wednesday to hand himself in.
The accused appeared emotional as he was brought into court on Friday afternoon and cried as he sat in the court dock.
His lawyer Jonathan Brancato flagged more alleged victims would likely come forward, as he asked for the court not to release the man’s name to media.
“Particularly because of his connection to the church, being that the church is at the centre of this as well,” he told the court.
“It would be harmful not only for the accused but also for future complainants.”
He said the man had made some admissions to police during his interview.
No application for bail was made, as Mr Brancato flagged it was his client’s first time in custody and requested he be seen by a nurse “given what’s transpired in the last 24 hours”.
“He is quite emotional and I expect that he’s quite vulnerable in custody,” he said.
The man will return to the court on May 23 for a committal mention.
The Pentecostal church’s headquarters are based in the Geelong suburb of Norlane, but it has branches interstate and internationally.
The church’s landline and website have been taken down after allegations in the media.
Shine Lawyers is considering separate civil action against the church on behalf of former members, and says about 20 people have come forward since September 2022.
