Loyal wife by actor Robert Hughes' side as child sex charge ordeal begins

FORMER Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes yesterday started his new life as a man on remand, clutching his wife's hand as he fulfilled his bail conditions and reported to police for the first time.

Robyn Gardiner made it plain she is standing by her husband, holding his hand as he left Surry Hills police station following the early morning report.

She has stayed as close to Hughes' side as possible this week since his extradition to Sydney to face 11 child sex charges.

The couple arrived at the station shortly before 8am and left again within minutes. Mr Hughes donned a cap and sunglasses and Ms Gardiner, a prominent show-business agent to celebrities including Cate Blanchett, wore a wide brimmed black and white striped hat and sunglasses.

When approached by The Daily Telegraph Mr Hughes gave no response to questions. In a clear show of unity, they walked though the city hand in hand, with Mr Hughes occasionally placing his arm around his wife as they strode through Hyde Park back to their upmarket hotel in Kent St - where the couple will live as Mr Hughes prepares for trial.


The 64-year-old flew into Sydney early on Thursday morning after his extradition from London and within hours was charged with 11 offences against five alleged victims over a six-year period dating back to 1984.

Court documents allege Mr Hughes abused five different girls in various locations across northern Sydney, and at least two of the charges directly coincide with his time on the show.

He left the prime time series in 1994 after seven years on the cast.

He was granted bail in Central Local Court on Thursday, and will report to Surry Hills police station three times a week.

Mr Hughes, who cut a forlorn figure in the courtroom dock, has already surrendered his passport and his wife has posted his $50,000 bail surety.

Magistrate Julie Huber said it was clear Hughes wasn't a flight risk, given he had handed himself in to police in London.

He will face court again on January 29.

Mr Hughes' solicitor Greg Walsh said his client was "residing in a room not much bigger than a (prison) cell".

"It (the court case) is going to very difficult for him ... it's a very difficult life," he said.

Mr Hughes, described by his lawyer as a "determined and resolute man ... (though) a quiet sort of person", is expected to plead not guilty to the sex assault charges next year.

The brief of evidence, to be tendered in court next year, will include statements from all the alleged victims. As many as seven officers have worked on the case for the past two years.

http://www.news.com.au/national/loyal-wife-by-actor-robert-hughes-side-as-child-sex-charge-ordeal-begins/story-fndo4bst-1226537182496

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/loyal-wife-by-actor-robert-hughes-side-as-child-sex-charge-ordeal-begins/story-fndo317g-1226537182496

Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes returns to Australia to face sexual assault allegations

FORMER Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes has landed in Sydney to answer child sex abuse allegations dating back to the 1980s.

Hughes's Qantas flight QF2 from London's Heathrow Airport landed in Sydney at 07.29 (AEDT).

The 64-year-old had consented to an order sought by Australia's attorney-general that he return to Sydney for questioning in relation to claims made by five people.

A warrant, signed by Britain's home secretary, outlines 11 accusations dating between 1984 and 1990, which coincides with the actor's starring role in the family sitcom Hey Dad!.

Hughes has not been charged and has been on bail since his arrest in London in August.


His lawyer Greg Walsh has said Hughes emphatically denies all the allegations and will vigorously defend them.
According to Mr Walsh, Hughes was being escorted by three police officers and will be taken to the Sydney Police Centre upon his return to Australia.

Mr Walsh said his client and his family have found themselves in a very stressful situation.

"When I spoke to him before he got on board, I think he was pretty stressed, pretty worried, as any human being would be in that situation,'' he told reporters in Sydney today.


"They won't indicate where I can have the opportunity of meeting my client and speaking with him, conferring with him as you'd expect.''

In a brief extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in London last month, Mr Hughes said he was keen to sort out the charges against him and clear his name.

However it took several weeks before the paper work was signed for his formal extradition.

The 63-year-old former actor was arrested at his luxury home in central London in August for 11 alleged sexual and indecent assaults of five children in Australia between 1985 and 1990.

Hughes had been placed on strict bail conditions and provided more than $88,000 in surety. The conditions were that he not be left alone with anyone under the age of 16, stay away from airports, ports or London’s Eurostar train station, abide by an 8pm-6am indoors curfew and wear an electronic tag.

He spent one night at Wandsworth Prison while he arranged the surety but then remained in his apartment for the next three months as the legal wheels turned.

http://www.news.com.au/national/hey-dad-star-robert-hughes-returning-to-australia-to-face-sexual-assault-allegations/story-fndo4eg9-1226535000899

Hey Dad! actor Robert Hughes expected in Australia within days

HEY Dad! star Robert Hughes is expected to arrive back in Australia in a matter of days to face a raft of child sex assault charges.

The British government signed an order on November 20 for Hughes's extradition, giving him 14 days to appeal.

Extradition of Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes approved

The 64-year-old, who played Martin Kelly in Hey Dad!, consented to the order, leaving him four weeks from the date of the order to leave the UK.

That process has left Hughes less than a week before he must depart London for Sydney under escort by NSW police.


He was charged in London via an arrest warrant from the Sex Crimes Squad in August.

The warrant relates to 11 offences, including indecent and sexual assault, against five girls between 1984 and 1990, when the actor played the central character Martin Kelly in the hit TV series.

http://www.news.com.au/world/hey-dad-actor-robert-hughes-expected-in-australia-within-days/story-fndir2ev-1226534691557