John Reginald Wright set to be extradited to Queensland to face charges of historical child sex abuse

A former elite swimming coach is set to be extradited to Queensland to face charges of historical child sex abuse dating back to the 1970s. John Reginald Wright appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday where an application was made by police to have him extradited on an interstate arrest warrant. It is alleged Mr Wright faces multiple charges of historical child sexual abuse during his time as a swimming coach in Queensland. The 78-year-old appeared in court after he was arrested at his Bunbury home on Wednesday. He was earlier taken to Bunbury Hospital for a medical assessment and was deemed well enough to be brought to the courtroom. Mr Wright only spoke to confirm his name to Magistrate Benjamin Tyers and to confirm he understood he would remain in custody while being transferred to Queensland. “Essentially you will get a free trip,” Mr Tyers said. Mr Wright will remain in custody and will be escorted to Brisbane by a detective who was flown to WA from Queensland. He will then appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 23. Queensland Police allege Mr Wright sexually abused boys he coached in Rockhampton during the 1970s and on the Gold Coast during the 1980s. The former swimming coach had a long history of training young children in Australia and South Africa. One of Mr Wright’s alleged victims is South African Anthony Rocchi, who claims he was abused for six months in 1998.