Australian accused of molesting at least 11 girls in Bali gave 'money and bikes' to alleged victims
An Australian man accused of molesting at least 11 girls in Bali offered them cash, food and clothes in return for bathing them, the first day of his trial has heard.
Robert Ellis looked calm as he faced Denpasar District Court on Thursday, and was even seen chatting with some of his alleged victims.
The 69-year-old from Melbourne has been charged with committing lewd acts after he allegedly abused at least 11 girls, aged nine to 15 at the popular tourist destination between 2014 and 2015.
Australian citizen and suspected pedophile Robert Andrew Fiddel Ellis in Bali. Source: EPA
Prosecutors allege the 69-year-old from Melbourne lured the girls to his rented room in Tabanan, near Kuta, with promises of gifts.
Once inside he bathed them, touching their bodies.
In one instance, prosecutors say Ellis washed three girls at once and then took them to a mall and bought them clothes.
"After that, the defendant took the three girls home to where they were staying and the defendant gave them each 200,000 rupiah (about $A20)," the indictment given to Denpasar District Court on Thursday stated.
Ellis faces charges of molesting at least 11 girls. Source: EPA
Media and members of the public were not allowed to enter the court as it was held in a closed session.
But speaking after the proceedings, Ellis's lawyer Benny Hariyono said they did not challenge the indictment as many of the instances had already been confirmed by his client.
Ellis does, however, dispute touching their genitals, Mr Hariyono added.
"Robert never ordered them. He only said that if they wanted to go for a walk, they must take a bath first and after that, they were given a push bike," the lawyer told reporters outside court.
Ellis is accused of paying the girls $30 and offering them bikes. Source: EPA
Siti Sapura, who works at the child protection centre that brought Ellis to the attention of authorities, said he would ask the girls: "Would you like to have bicycle? Want some clothes? Want something to eat?"
She claimed two women were also involved in bringing the children to Ellis, although they are not facing trial.
"Robert gave them motorbikes, push bikes, jewellery, nice clothes, good food. All of them received push bikes and money," she explained.
For every shower the girls were paid between 100,000 to 300,000 rupiah.
Ellis looks on as he is seen inside a court room during his trial at the Denpasar District Court in Balli. Source: EPA
He also paid for some of them to get dental braces.
After he was charged in May, Ellis said he hoped "people are reasonable and no one sees a minor offence as a major offence".
His case will return to court at a later date.
News break – July 1
