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