THE lead singer of a Newcastle area band has been charged with 10 offences against multiple female victims, including aggravated sexual assault with a person under 16, NSW Police say.
The Cooks Hill man, 32, used his status and popularity as the band's singer to engage the females, the Newcastle City Police District said.
Investigators say the man groomed some of the victims, aged between 14 and 20 years old, after meeting them at gigs where he was performing between 2008 and 2014.
On Tuesday, August 27, just before 10am, Newcastle police attended a shop at Darby Street, Cooks Hill and the 32-year-old man was arrested. He was taken to Newcastle police station where he was charged with 10 offences including four counts of aggravated sexual assault - victim under 16, two counts of indecent assault, one count of incite to commit an act of indecency with a victim 16 years and over, and three counts of common assault.
Newcastle detectives are calling for any witnesses of alleged sexual assaults linked to a local band, or anyone that may have information that can help with the investigation, to come forward.
The man has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on October 24.
Contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
