Jury finds Clarence Town man Christopher John Stewart NOT GUILTY on all 10 charges of sexually abusing boy
A man who “lost his job and nearly two years of his life” can finally move on after a jury found him not guilty of all allegations of sexually abusing a “troubled” teenage boy.
Central Coast Express Advocate
Christopher John Stewart has been found not guilty of all charges.
A Hunter Valley man charged with 10 counts of sexually abusing a teenage boy on the Central Coast has been found not guilty of all charges after a jury deliberated for less than four hours.
Christopher John Stewart of Clarence Town, south of Dungog, was charged in January last year with seven counts of sexual touching and three counts of inciting a boy to touch him at Kariong in 2021.
The then 45-year-old had no criminal history, was gainfully employed and had been in a committed relationship with his partner for 20 years at the time of the allegations, and maintained his innocence throughout.
He faced a seven-day trial in Gosford District Court last month where a jury returned not guilty verdicts on all 10 charges after deliberating for just three hours and 13 minutes.
On Tuesday. his lawyer appeared in Gosford Local Court where the magistrate formally withdrew and dismissed a previous application for an apprehended violence order against Mr Stewart on behalf of the teenager after NSW Police advised there were no grounds.
Mr Stewart (wearing the face mask) leaving Gosford District Court after a previous appearance.
When asked for comment on the outcome, Mr Stewart’s solicitor Gerard Mitchell, principal of Mitchell & Co. Lawyers, issued a statement on his client’s behalf.
“Mr Stewart is extremely grateful that this nightmarish period of his life is now behind him, that his faith in the justice system was ultimately justified, and that he can now go about reclaiming and moving on with his life,” the statement read.
Mr Stewart is looking forward to reclaiming and moving on with his life. “As a result of the false allegations and being charged, Mr Stewart lost his job and almost two years of his life, to say nothing of the financial burden which defending the proceedings obviously imposed upon him.
“For a man of his standing and good character, the process was unavoidably, both highly stressful and embarrassing for both him and his family.
“Again, he is extremely relieved that justice prevailed and hopes to now be able to return to his normal life.
“Mr Stewart would also like to take this opportunity to express his deepest appreciation and gratitude to his legal team and importantly, all his friends and family who provided him with unequivocal and unwavering support for the duration of the investigation and court proceedings.”
Article by Richard Noone
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Pictures: NewsLocal