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Former Cohuna priest faces sex abuse charges

Peter Bannan

A TASMANIAN man appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on historical sex charges last month after being extradited from Tasmania.

Christopher Francis Coleborn, 75, of Perth, appeared at a first appearance on August 19 after an extradition order was made in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Mr Coleborn appeared on charges of sexual penetration of a child aged between 10 and 16 years, indecent act with a child under 16, attempted rape and indecent assault.

He reappeared in an out-of-hours hearing on August 20 where he received bail with surety.

His next appearance is for committal mention on November 4, 2022.

Mr Coleborn was released from the Launceston Magistrates’ Court into the custody of Detective Acting Sergeant Cameron Johnson of the Crime Investigation Unit/Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse Investigation Team from Swan Hill.

Mr Coleborn was a minister of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Cohuna.

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