Wagga man denies child-like sex doll import allegation

Andrew Ross Clark, of Huthwaite Street in Mount Austin, pleaded not guilty to two charges relating to the accusations in Wagga Local Court on Wednesday.

Mr Clark, 59, was charged in January following a joint Riverina police and Australian Border Force investigation into the importation of a child-like sex doll.

The doll was intercepted from air cargo in Sydney during November.

Police allege the doll, which is legally considered to be child exploitation material, was destined for Mr Clark's Wagga address.

In court on Wednesday, Mr Clark's solicitor Zac Tankard entered not guilty pleas to one count each of intentionally importing prohibited tier two goods without approval and possessing child abuse material.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mr Clark faces a separate charge of possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit, to which he has pleaded guilty.

Police documents tendered to the court revealed the prohibited weapon was a black crossbow found when Riverina officers and border force investigators searched Mr Clark's Mount Austin home on December 18.

According to police, the crossbow was found lying on the floor in a rear room that Mr Clark used as a gym.

The weapon was seized. Mr Clark told officers it had been given to him by his ex-partner as a gift and he had kept it since.

"The accused stated that he is aware that it is a prohibited item and he does not have a permit or licence to possess it," police said.

Mr Tankard told the court that both sets of matters should continue to be heard together.

Mr Clark remains on conditional bail, including that he surrender his passport and not enter any international departure points.

Mr Clark was silent as he left the courthouse and used a piece of paper to shield his face from the media waiting outside.

He is excused from attending court if legally represented when the matter returns on April 8.