Barry Cable Acquitted of Historical Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Former Australian Rules footballer Barry Cable has been acquitted of multiple historical child sexual abuse charges stemming from allegations that he abused a girl aged about eight or nine at his family home in the late 1960s. The verdict was delivered by Judge Michael Bowden in the Western Australian District Court on April 20, 2026, following a judge-only trial. Despite acknowledging that the alleged victim was likely telling the truth, Judge Bowden concluded that the prosecution had not met the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The GuardianBarry Cable: Former football legend found not guilty of child sex abuseThe Sydney Morning Herald

The allegations against Cable included five counts of indecent dealing with a girl under 13 and two counts of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 13, occurring between December 31, 1966, and December 31, 1969. The alleged victim testified that Cable initially treated her well but later began to touch her inappropriately. She reported the abuse to authorities in 2023 after seeing Cable on television, which triggered memories of the alleged incidents.

The Guardian

In a separate civil trial in 2023, Cable was found liable for abusing another girl over a five-year period starting in 1968, resulting in an award of $818,700 in damages to the victim. The civil trial judge noted compelling evidence of Cable's violations against other children. Following this ruling, Cable faced significant professional repercussions, including removal from the Australian Football Hall of Fame and loss of life memberships from various football clubs.

The Guardian

Following the acquittal, Cable's son, Shane, expressed relief and emphasized the family's desire for privacy as they navigate this chapter of their lives. He stated that the verdict provided closure to a "stressful and chaotic period" for the family. Conversely, one of the women who provided tendency evidence during the trial expressed disappointment with the outcome, stating that the system had failed the victims and that they would no longer feel silenced.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Critics of the trial have pointed out the challenges faced by victims in historical abuse cases, particularly regarding the burden of proof and the impact of time on evidence. The alleged victim in the criminal trial articulated her feelings of shame being placed on her rather than on Cable, highlighting the emotional toll such cases can take on survivors.

The Guardian

While Judge Bowden accepted the credibility of the alleged victim's testimony, he ultimately ruled that the evidence did not meet the standard required for a criminal conviction. This has led to a divergence in public opinion regarding the effectiveness of the judicial system in handling historical abuse cases, with some advocating for reforms to better support victims.

The Guardian

• “The system has failed his [alleged] victim-survivors,” — Anonymous witness

The Guardian

• “Dad is someone who’s always inspired so many people through his football, dedicated his life after football to community work,” — Shane Cable

The Guardian

This case underscores the complexities surrounding historical allegations of abuse, the judicial process, and the ongoing discourse about victim support and accountability.

The Guardian