Man in child abuse charge

A 40-year-old Mid West man has been charged with inappropriate conduct with a minor.

The man, who cannot legally be named, was arrested by police last week after a four-year-old girl told her mother he had allegedly sexually abused her on January 18.

He is charged with sexual penetration of a child under 13.

The man appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

His lawyer Faye Sellers said the allegations were “completely and vehemently denied”.

The man was not required to enter a plea and was granted bail of $5000 under strict conditions.