Family home to fund man's historic sex assault defence

An elderly man accused of historical sexual assaults against underage girls has taken no steps to sell his family home despite needing the money to defend legal matters he wants delayed indefinitely, a court has heard.

Anton Koschier, 87, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of indecent assault and one involving intercourse against girls under 16.

Acting Judge Graeme Henson in the NSW District Court on Monday said further delays in the matter, relating to alleged crimes dating back to the 1960s, were "underwhelming".

"It was disappointing that the matter did come before me last year and it's not that much further advanced," he said.

He "reluctantly" granted an application from Koschier's lawyer to vacate a special hearing date in June, due to a recently arisen fitness issue.

An application to permanently stay the matter will still be heard.

Koschier's lawyer told the court the allegations were reported decades ago to police who interviewed Koschier.

"At a time when he could have marshalled a defence … he was told the case effectively (was) that no charges would be brought," his lawyer said.

Koschier was charged in 2021 and needs to sell the family home to afford legal fees, he said.

His lawyer sought instructions after the judge asked what preparations have occurred to sell the property.

"I'm told no substantive steps have been taken," Koschier's lawyer said.

Crown prosecutor Gabrielle Steedman questioned the timetable for the sale and whether it needed to happen, given "absolutely no steps" had been taken so far.

"The interest of justice is not only the interests of the accused's bank account unfortunately," Ms Steedman said.

However it would be unacceptable for Koschier to be unrepresented on the charges he faces, she said.

The judge said Koschier "seems to have sat on his hands".

"There's no problem with putting a house on the market then taking it off again," Judge Henson said.

Granting the application to vacate the special hearing, depending on the outcome of the upcoming permanent stay application, the judge ordered the Crown be provided some proof.

Contact with a real estate agent, evidence of a marketing campaign and a prospective date the property might be sold have been ordered ahead of the June 5 application.