Former AFL footballer Josh Hill pleads not guilty to seven child sex charges

Former footballer Josh Hill is set to face trial after pleading not guilty to seven child sex offences allegedly committed at the height of his AFL career.
The 36-year-old is facing three counts of indecent dealings with a child aged 13-16 and four counts of sexually penetrating a child aged 13-16.
Police allege the offences took place in Broome in December 2015 and in the Perth suburb of Scarborough in January 2016.
Mr Hill appeared by video link in the Broome Magistrates Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to all seven charges.
He appeared from Melbourne while his lawyer, high-profile Perth KC Tom Percy, appeared in a separate video.
Broome Magistrate Deen Potter read each charge to Mr Hill, noting each involved a 15-year-old child.
"So a child over the age of 13 but under the age of 16 years," he said.
Mr Hill spoke only to confirm his not guilty plea to each charge.
Born in Broome, Mr Hill's played 173 games for the Western Bulldogs and West Coast between 2007 and 2017.
Returning to WA after five seasons at the Bulldogs, his 107 games for West Coast included playing in the 2015 Grand Final, which the Eagles lost to Hawthorn.
The 36-year-old had his bail extended with the same conditions.
His lawyer indicated he would seek to vary those bail conditions to allow his client to appear remotely.
His matters are next due to be heard in Broome District Court on August 19.

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