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National

Former Dubbo mayor Ben Shields charged with historical sexual assault offence

Dubbo sexual assault Police
Former Dubbo mayor Ben Shields has been charged over an alleged historical sexual assault. (ABC Western Plains: Gary-Jon Lysaght)

Former mayor of Dubbo Regional Council Ben Shields has been charged with a historical sex offence dating back to 2003.

Detectives from the Orana Mid Western Police District arrested Mr Shields on two charges at 7.30am Tuesday before he was released on conditional bail.  

Mr Shields was charged with sexual intercourse without consent and possessing conversation obtained by surveillance device.

The charges are the culmination of a months-long investigation by police after a report was filed in November 2021.

Police have alleged that in January 2003, an 18-year-old man was sexually assaulted by Mr Shields who was then 22 years old and known to the alleged victim.

Mr Shields is due to appear at Dubbo Local Court on August 22, 2022.

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