Retired Fall River firefighter, sports coach arraigned on child molestation charges

FALL RIVER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A retired firefighter from Fall River was arraigned on child molestation charges Tuesday.

Wesley Allardice, 62, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault to rape a child, aggravated rape and abuse of a child by age difference, indecent exposure, selling or delivering liquor to a person under 21, giving obscene matter to a minor, using a drug for sexual intercourse, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. He was indicted on the charges in October.

"We're denying the allegations and we're doing our own investigation," Kenneth Van Colen, Allardice's attorney said.

Allardice was freed on $50,000 cash bail following his arraignment under the condition that he stays away from the alleged victims.

The 62-year-old, who coached local youth sports for years, is accused of molesting two boys and making advances toward a third child. Investigators claim the victims reported being sexually assaulted by Allardice, who also showed them pornography and gave them beer and marijuana.

There is no word on how Allardice and the children knew each other.

"I suggest he's still a respected member of the community and this is very, very upsetting to him as it would be with any allegation like that would be to anybody," Van Colen said.

Allardice is scheduled to appear in court again for a pre-trial conference on Jan. 17.

Cox Media Group