Kimberley man who pleaded not guilty to indecently dealing with young girl denied bail

A Kimberley man who pleaded not guilty to indecently dealing with a girl has been denied bail to reside in Fitzroy Crossing, after allegedly damaging a moped and assaulting a police officer in Broome last time he was let out. Harold Tax appeared in Broome Magistrates Court on Monday, pleading not guilty to indecently dealing with a girl aged under 13 years old. It is alleged that from September 26, 2020, to October 12, 2020, in Balgo, Mr Tax sexually assaulted the girl who was known to him on at least two occasions. The court was told one of the alleged offences occurred in the bedroom of a relative’s house, while the girl was lying on the floor using a mobile device. In a separate incident, while on bail for the first charges, in Broome on October 15, Mr Tax allegedly borrowed a moped and damaged the vehicle, then when confronted, allegedly assaulted the owner of the moped and a police officer. A bail application was made for Mr Tax to reside in Fitzroy Crossing with his grandmother, because he had a funeral to attend and had been in custody since October. Magistrate Stephen Sharratt knocked back the application, saying a funeral was not an extraordinary reason for release. Remanded in custody, Mr Tax will next appear in Broome Magistrates Court on December 20 for the criminal damage charges then again on March 8, 2022, for a trial listing hearing on the indecent dealing charges.