The former artistic director of the State Opera of South Australia has been ordered to stand trial over multiple historical sex abuse charges.
Timothy Sexton, 58, pleaded not guilty in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday to charges including indecent assault and maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.
The offences allegedly occurred in the Adelaide area in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
His pleas prompted an outburst from a member of the public in the courtroom, who shouted at Sexton as the charges were read out and was eventually removed by staff.
Sexton's name had been suppressed since his arrest in mid-2017 and his lawyers on Wednesday asked for the order to continue - but magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard refused their application
Sexton, who was also the State Opera's chief executive, stood down from his role days before his arrest was announced, citing personal reasons.
He had been with the company since 2011 and was in charge of both its administration and artistic management.
Ms Sheppard continued Sexton's bail and ordered him to appear in the District Court in January.
He made no comment to waiting media as he left the court.
Australian Associated Press
