Liam Geofory Howarth: 21-year-old pleads guilty to five counts of indecently dealing with a child under 13

A Great Southern man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child five times in eight months. Liam Geofory Howarth appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with five counts of indecently dealing with a child under 13. The 21-year-old committed the offences against the same child in several localities across the Great Southern and over multiple dates from December 2023 to July. Howarth spoke only to confirm his name and to plead guilty to the five charges. His defence lawyer Bruno Illari ordered presentence, psychiatric and psychological reports, with the latter to check if Howarth is on the autism spectrum. Howarth is on bail and is exoected to be sentenced on January 15. If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.