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UPDATE: Alleged victims of Orkopoulos praised for courage

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Lake Macquarie police have today thanked the alleged victims of former Swansea MP Milton Orkopoulos for their courage.

It comes after detectives attended Silverwater Prison this morning to arrest the 62-year-old over 15 fresh offences including five counts of aggravated sexual assault on a person under the age of 16, and child prostitution.

In January 2020, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District established Strike Force Glenwarrie to investigate allegations of historic sexual and indecent assault offences against two juvenile boys known to Orkopoulos in the 1990s.

It’s alleged the boys were assaulted on separate occasions in Lake Macquarie and the Mid North Coast.

Lake Macquarie Police District Commander, Superintendent Danny Sullivan, said both of the alleged victims had been supported with offers of counselling.

“As you would expect, coming forward in relation to a sexual offence is something that is extremely traumatic and distressing in and of itself,” he said.

“Here in the command, we’re very thankful for the courage that has been shown by the people in relation to this.”

The former Labor MP has already spent 11-and-a-half years in jail after being convicted of 30 child sex, drug and child porn offences.

He was granted parole in December 2019, however, it was revoked in February for failing to comply with reporting allegations.

Sullivan said the arrest was the result of hard work by Lake Macquarie detectives.

“I’m exceptionally proud of the detectives in Lake Macquarie for the hard work they have done on numerous offences,” he said.

“This is just one other example of the outstanding efforts of Lake Macquarie detectives and it should give our community confidence, but it should also empower survivors to come forward and know their local police are here for them and will work with them.”

Police are encouraging any more alleged victims or witnesses to come forward, saying they can remain anonymous.

Orkopoulos was a Lake Macquarie councillor between 1995 and 1999 and was elected to NSW Parliament as Swansea MP in 1999.

He remained in this position until 2006.

Orkopoulos was refused bail and will appear before Newcastle Local Court via video link tomorrow.

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