Ex-climbing coach arrested for alleged historic child sexual assaults

Australian Federal Police officers have arrested a 55-year old Canberra man on suspicion of historic child sexual assault offences in Australia and overseas.

He has been charged with six offences involving alleged grooming, trafficking and sexual activity with children and teenagers involved in sports programs in the ACT between 1994 and 2005.

The ABC understands the man's name is Stephen Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell was the former coach of junior Australian and world champion rock climbers in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

He coached and managed Australian junior climbing teams that competed locally and internationally.

The investigation began when ACT Policing received information from a woman alleging she had been groomed by Mr Mitchell between 1994 and 1999.

Police said during the investigation three other women came forward with allegations against Mr Mitchell.

He was arrested following an investigation, codenamed Operation Pyrite, by the sexual assault and child abuse team with ACT Policing.

The charges are:

The charges of indecency carry a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment and the charges of sexual conduct carry a maximum penalty of 12 years.

ACT Policing said the investigation was continuing and additional charges might be laid.

He is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday.