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78-year-old Adelaide man charged with 55 historical sexual abuse offences - Adelaide, SA
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A 78-year-old Adelaide man has been charged with 55 alleged historical sexual abuse offences involving 29 victim-survivors, many of whom were children at the time.
A 78-year-old man from Adelaide's western suburbs has been charged with 55 historical sexual abuse offences following a long-running South Australian Police investigation into alleged offending at the former Magill Training Centre.
Police allege the offences occurred between 1978 and 2003 at the now-closed youth detention facility. The charges include allegations of rape, unlawful sexual intercourse, sexual abuse of a child, gross indecency and indecent assault.
Investigators say there are 29 known victim-survivors connected to the allegations, with many of those people alleged to have been children when the offending occurred. Police have stressed that the identities and privacy of victim-survivors must be protected throughout the investigation and court process.
The man arrested in connection with the investigation was not a government employee, according to police, but allegedly had access to the Magill Training Centre during the period covered by the investigation. The facility has since closed, meaning investigators have had to examine events that occurred decades ago and gather evidence relating to historical allegations.
The arrest follows work by Taskforce Libero, a specialist South Australian Police investigation established to examine allegations of historical sexual abuse connected with former youth detention facilities.
The investigation began in December 2023 and the taskforce was formally established in March 2025. Police say the investigation has involved complex and lengthy inquiries, reflecting the significant time that has passed since many of the alleged offences occurred.
South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart McLean praised investigators involved in the case, describing the investigation as complex and protracted. Police said the arrest demonstrates their continued commitment to pursuing allegations of historical abuse even when significant periods of time have passed.
The case is also expected to remain an active investigation. Police have indicated that further arrests may be possible as investigators continue examining information connected with the allegations.
The accused man is expected to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Because the matter is now before the criminal justice system, the allegations remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
Historical sexual abuse investigations can present particular challenges for investigators because potential evidence may be decades old and people connected with the original events may be difficult to locate. Police nevertheless continue to encourage people with relevant information to come forward.
The investigation also highlights the long-term impact of alleged abuse in institutional settings. For people who experienced abuse as children, coming forward many years later can be difficult, and specialist support services are available to people affected by historical sexual abuse.
Police have emphasised that protecting victim-survivors remains an important consideration as the investigation progresses. The identities of the people who have come forward will not be disclosed.
The former Magill Training Centre is now closed, but allegations relating to its operation continue to form part of historical investigations into youth detention in South Australia.
The latest arrest represents a significant development in Taskforce Libero's ongoing work. Investigators will now continue preparing the evidence associated with the charges while also examining whether further offences or additional suspects should be investigated.
The accused will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations through the court process. No finding of guilt has been made.
InvestigationPoliceAllegationsAbuseHistorical
A 78-year-old man from Adelaide's western suburbs has been charged with 55 historical sexual abuse offences following a long-running South Australian Police investigation into alleged offending at the former Magill Training Centre.
Police allege the offences occurred between 1978 and 2003 at the now-closed youth detention facility. The charges include allegations of rape, unlawful sexual intercourse, sexual abuse of a child, gross indecency and indecent assault.
Investigators say there are 29 known victim-survivors connected to the allegations, with many of those people alleged to have been children when the offending occurred. Police have stressed that the identities and privacy of victim-survivors must be protected throughout the investigation and court process.
The man arrested in connection with the investigation was not a government employee, according to police, but allegedly had access to the Magill Training Centre during the period covered by the investigation. The facility has since closed, meaning investigators have had to examine events that occurred decades ago and gather evidence relating to historical allegations.
The arrest follows work by Taskforce Libero, a specialist South Australian Police investigation established to examine allegations of historical sexual abuse connected with former youth detention facilities.
The investigation began in December 2023 and the taskforce was formally established in March 2025. Police say the investigation has involved complex and lengthy inquiries, reflecting the significant time that has passed since many of the alleged offences occurred.
South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart McLean praised investigators involved in the case, describing the investigation as complex and protracted. Police said the arrest demonstrates their continued commitment to pursuing allegations of historical abuse even when significant periods of time have passed.
The case is also expected to remain an active investigation. Police have indicated that further arrests may be possible as investigators continue examining information connected with the allegations.
The accused man is expected to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Because the matter is now before the criminal justice system, the allegations remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
Historical sexual abuse investigations can present particular challenges for investigators because potential evidence may be decades old and people connected with the original events may be difficult to locate. Police nevertheless continue to encourage people with relevant information to come forward.
The investigation also highlights the long-term impact of alleged abuse in institutional settings. For people who experienced abuse as children, coming forward many years later can be difficult, and specialist support services are available to people affected by historical sexual abuse.
Police have emphasised that protecting victim-survivors remains an important consideration as the investigation progresses. The identities of the people who have come forward will not be disclosed.
The former Magill Training Centre is now closed, but allegations relating to its operation continue to form part of historical investigations into youth detention in South Australia.
The latest arrest represents a significant development in Taskforce Libero's ongoing work. Investigators will now continue preparing the evidence associated with the charges while also examining whether further offences or additional suspects should be investigated.
The accused will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations through the court process. No finding of guilt has been made.
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