Aussie LL'ers should remember this show...



Former Hey Dad! TV star Robert Hughes will fight an Australian government extradition order alleging the sexual assault of five children.

The 63-year-old who played Martin Kelly in the popular television sitcom faced a London court on Thursday, when he was granted bail until an extradition hearing in mid-September.

NSW Police allege that Hughes, a resident of London for the past two years, committed sexual and indecent assaults on five children aged seven to 15 years in Sydney between 1985 and 1990.

Westminster Magistrate's Court was told that Hughes's alleged victims included friends of his daughter, the daughters of family friends, and a Hey Dad! cast member, aged 12 or 13 years at the time.

NSW Police outline allegations of indecent exposure, kissing and the touching of Hughes's erect penis through clothing.

"Mr Hughes's return is sought by the Australian Government for 11 offences," said barrister Katherine Tyler, representing the Australian Attorney-General.

Hughes's lawyer Robert Katz said his client, arrested in London on Thursday morning, does not consent to the extradition order.

He claims Hughes has been co-operating with Australian authorities, who have never asked that the actor return to NSW.

NSW Police say a warrant was issued for Hughes's arrest in May.

Ms Tyler argued that Hughes should not be granted bail while waiting for his September 15 hearing.

"(He has) a motive to evade standing trial on these offences which carry significant sentences if proven, along with attracting unfavourable press coverage which would end any future career he might have," she said.

However, Mr Katz said Hughes is a man of good character with no previous criminal convictions, who is "willing and able to co-operate with police".

District Judge Michael Snow ordered that Hughes be electronically tagged and adhere to a strict curfew, granting bail once a STG60,000 ($A90,000) surety has been paid to the court.

He must return to court when required and not be alone in the company of any person under the age of 16 years.

Wearing an unzipped dark jacket, grey-haired Hughes sat quietly in the dock as the matter was mentioned, speaking only briefly earlier in the day to confirm his name and date of birth.

NSW Police are due to address media in Sydney on Friday in relation to the extradition bid.

Source:

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/hey-dad-star-bailed-for-hearing-20120810-23xl8.html