AFL great Carl Ditterich charged with child sex offences

Carl Ditterich, a former Australian Rules Football (AFL) player and coach, was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 16 in May 2023. The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred in 1985.

Ditterich, who is now 60 years old, played for North Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) from 1982 to 1987. He made a total of 72 appearances for the club and was a member of their premiership team in 1983. After retiring as a player, he went on to coach various football teams, including North Melbourne's reserves and the South Melbourne Swans in the Victorian Football Association (VFA).

The charges against Ditterich were brought forward following an investigation by Victoria Police's Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOTAT). The alleged victim came forward and reported the incident to police in 2022. The charges include multiple counts of sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16 and indecent assault.

Ditterich was arrested and charged on May 23, 2023, and was granted bail with strict conditions. He is required to report to police weekly and is not allowed to have any contact with the alleged victim or any children under the age of 18.

The AFL released a statement expressing their concern for the welfare of the victim and their support for the legal process. North Melbourne Football Club also released a statement expressing their shock and disappointment at the allegations and their commitment to cooperating fully with the police investigation.

Ditterich is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 20, 2023, for a filing hearing. The maximum penalty for sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16 is life imprisonment.

It is important to note that all allegations of sexual assault and child abuse are taken seriously by authorities and that anyone who has experienced such incidents is encouraged to come forward and report them to the police.