AFL Legend Carl Ditterich Charged with Child Sex Offences

Australian Rules Football legend, Carl Ditterich, has been charged with multiple child sex offences following an investigation into an alleged incident that took place in 1985. The 78-year-old former player was charged with three counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency by the Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.

Ditterich, known for his nickname ‘The Blonde Bombshell’, was due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court today. However, his lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, provided a letter from Bendigo Health excusing his absence from the hearing.

During his illustrious career, Ditterich played 285 games for the St Kilda Football Club and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2004 and also had coaching stints with several teams, including the North Central Football League’s Boort.

After retiring from football in 1980, Ditterich ventured into politics, running as an independent candidate for the seat of Swan Hill in the 1999 Victorian state election, where he was defeated by incumbent Barry Stegall.

The alleged incidents in 1985 occurred in Heatherton, and the charges are connected to a single victim. Ditterich is scheduled to appear in court for a committal mention on June 28.