NSW: Sex offender abused Philip Bell s victims: court told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-1999
NSW: Sex offender abused Philip Bell s victims: court told

By Margaret Scheikowski

SYDNEY, April 13 AAP - Successful artist Stephen Henry Little sexually abused seven boys
who already had been victims of paedophile Philip Harold Bell, a judge was told today.

"While a guest at Philip Bell's properties, he picked up what he regarded as the crumbs
from Philip Bell's table," crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen told the NSW District Court.

"He reinforced the corruption and abuse of these seven young boys."

But his barrister Peter Pearsall said since the most recent offence in 1989, Little had
changed his life, setting up a successful art business in Bali, converting to Buddhism and
living a celibate lifestyle.

He tendered numerous references supporting Little, including statements from theatre
director Richard Wherrett, artist Martin Sharp, writer Richard Neville and actor Arkie
Whiteley.

Little has pleaded guilty to eight sex offences and asked Judge Jonathon Williams to take
into account a further seven offences.

They relate to seven victims aged from 13 to 16, with the offences occurring between 1975
and 1989 at various places in NSW, including Bell's rural property at Yarrahappinni near
Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast.

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KEYWORD: LITTLE NIGHTLEAD

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