Former Newcastle priest charged with alleged historic sex offences involving children under 16

A former Newcastle priest has been charged with alleged historic sexual assault offences.

New South Wales Police received a report outlining the alleged offences in April, with officers attached to the Mid North Coast Police district subsequently launching an investigation.

The report indicated the alleged offences took place at a church in the Northern Riverina Region, western NSW, between 1982 and 1984.

Following an extensive investigation and inquiries, police arrested an 82-year-old man at a home in Kotara on Monday at around 10.30am.

The 82-year-old was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with multiple offences.

Those included five counts of sexual assault, performing an indecent act with person under 16 years of age, and two counts of sexual assault, on a pers