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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Nick Bielby

Pair extradited from Queensland over Hunter sexual abuse allegations

Two people charged over alleged historical sexual abuse of a girl in the Hunter Region have been refused bail after the prosecution argued they were a flight risk.

Peter David Baker and Sudarat Baker were extradited from the Queensland town of North Lakes late last week and charged over the alleged abuse of young girl when she was aged 9 and 10.

Mr Baker, 59, was charged with having sexual intercourse with a person aged 10-14 and three counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged under 10 while in company.

Ms Baker, 36, faces three counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged under 10 in company.

They applied for bail at Toronto local court on Tuesday, but Magistrate Michael Morahan formally refused their bid for freedom.

"The allegations are extremely serious," he said.

"My feeling is the safety of the victim is paramount."

The prosecution argued against the bail application, with police alleging Mr Baker had lied to and avoided detectives and that he was "an active flight risk".

The court heard Mr Baker had spent time in Thailand recently while undergoing treatment for a problem with his back before the pair was arrested in Queensland.

Police allege they sexually abused the girl on several occasions in November, 2014, and Mr Baker allegedly sexually abused the girl again in January, 2016.

The matter was adjourned to November 26.

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