Man fronts court over multiple sex offence charges

ABC News, Australia/October 28, 2005

An 83-year-old man charged with multiple sex offences against two 12-year-old girls says he will vigorously defend himself against the charges.

Bundeena man Ken Dyers was today granted conditional bail in Sutherland Local Court.

Dyers is the co-founder of the group Kenja Communications.

Outside the court, Dyers said the allegations are being made by people who are trying to brand his organisation as a cult.

He says it is part of a campaign designed to destroy him.

"This is a frame up, another attempt to destroy me, myself and Kenja," he said.

"There's been lot of attempts, it's just another one. I'm innocent and as long as my health holds up, I will fight these bogus charges."

Dyers's defence lawyer Harland Koops told Sutherland Local Court the accusations were implausible because it was medically impossible for his client to have committed the offences.

Mr Koops told the court that the allegations were being made by disgruntled former members of Dyers's Kenja organisation, which the defence says has been incorrectly identified as a cult.

The prosecution opposed bail, saying the charges against Dyers were extremely serious.

Mr Koops told the court that his client had successfully defended himself against similar accusations in the past and was not a flight risk.

The magistrate granted conditional bail and ordered that Dyers not visit any of Kenja's offices or attend any functions connected to the group.