Armidale District Court acquits man of child sex charges

A man who had spent nearly two years in custody awaiting trial for three counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 12 was found not guilty by a jury in Armidale District Court on June 25. The verdict was delivered after only a few hours of deliberation, and the judge ordered his immediate release. Family members of both the defendant and the complainant were observed in tears as the decision was read.

During the trial, the defence highlighted medical evidence that the accused suffered chronic back pain and had been prescribed the opioid Tramadol for years, suggesting the medication could have caused erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. Expert testimony from a doctor and a forensic pharmacologist explained how long‑term opioid use can affect hormone levels and sexual function, a point the defence argued introduced reasonable doubt.

The jury ultimately accepted the defence's argument, leading to the acquittal of all three charges.