Hey Dad! star to be extradited to Australia

29 Sep 2012, 10:20 am   -   Source: AAP
Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes is expected to return to Australia to answer sexual assault allegations. (AAP)

Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes is expected to return to Australia to answer sexual assault allegations. (AAP)

Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes is expected to return to Australia within days to answer multiple child sexual assault allegations.

A British judge has approved the extradition of Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes, with the actor set to return to Australia within days to fight multiple child sexual assault allegations.

The 64-year-old, who played father figure Martin Kelly in the popular 1980s and 90s TV show, is facing allegations made by five people dating back nearly three decades.

Relating to children aged seven to 15 years, 11 alleged offences between 1985 and 1990 include accusations of indecent exposure, kissing, and the touching of Hughes's erect penis through clothing.

Hughes is yet to be charged with any offence and NSW police want him for questioning in Sydney.

Outside court, his lawyer, Robert Katz, said: "Mr Hughes is shocked and perplexed as to why he is being extradited when police knew he was willing to return to Australia of his own accord to answer their questions if he had been asked.

"Rather than continue to suffer a trial by media, my client is keen to defend the allegations which he vehemently denies."

At a brief hearing in a central London court on Friday, Judge Michael Snow approved an extradition order after Hughes' lawyer, Rachel Kapila, said he would not contest it.

"(Mr Hughes) has never had any issue with returning to Australia," she said.

The order is expected to be rubber-stamped by British Home Secretary Theresa May and Hughes ordered to surrender to authorities in the coming days.

After being arrested at his London home last month, Hughes appeared in court for a third time in relation to the accusations.

The Australian actor, dressed in a dark suit, addressed Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was released on bail and ordered not to go near London's St Pancras international train station or airports.

If the order proceeds as expected, Hughes will be handed over to the Australian Federal Police at an English airport.

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