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Collingwood super-fan 'Joffa' Corfe pleads guilty to child sex abuse

australian associated press
·1-min read
'Joffa' celebrates a Collingwood goal during an AFL game in 2018. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
'Joffa' celebrates a Collingwood goal during an AFL game in 2018. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Collingwood AFL super-fan and former cheer squad leader Jeffrey "Joffa" Corfe has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a teenage boy. The 62-year-old was charged with one count of sexual penetration of a child under 16, related to the abuse of a 14-year-old at his then-home in Coburg in Melbourne's north.

Police say the boy and Corfe had communicated on MSN Messenger and by email before meeting in person in early 2005. The complainant first reported the abuse to Victoria Police in June 2020 and Corfe was charged in May last year.

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Corfe initially denied the offending, but he formally pleaded guilty to the rolled up charge during an arraignment hearing at the County Court in Melbourne. Corfe appeared via video link from his home in Queensland and coughed throughout Wednesday's brief hearing.

'Joffa' Corfe, pictured here during a Collingwood Magpies training session in 2018.
'Joffa' Corfe looks on during a Collingwood Magpies training session in 2018. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Judge Gerard Mullaly extended his bail to February, but advised him he would need to appear in person for his plea. The complainant would be appearing in person and wanted to read his victim impact statement directly to Corfe, prosecutor Matt Cookson told the court on Wednesday.

Corfe's lawyer Christopher Terry told the court his client was experiencing health issues but would attend the Melbourne court if required.

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