BY JARROD MELMETH

A former youth worker has been charged with 15 historic sex offences which took place across the Hunter Region dating back to the 1990s.

Late last year, Lake Macquarie Police established a strike force to investigate the allegations of alleged child sexual offences against two teenage boys between 1990 and 2004 in  Muswellbrook and Gateshead.

On Thursday, Strike Force Eiraban lead to the arrest of a 71-year-old man from Marks Point who attended Belmont Police Station where he was arrested.

The man was charges with 15 offences, including sex assault (incite indecent act under 16 and under authority); three counts of sexual intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16 years, sexual intercourse with person 10 and under 16 years; sexual intercourse with person 14 or over and under 16 years; aggravated indecent assault of a victim under the authority of offender; and supply prohibited drug.

Police will allege the man formerly worked as a youth worker in the region.

He appeared before Belmont Local Court, where he was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday.