Mount Gambier man charged with child sex offences and domestic abuse makes bail bid

A Mount Gambier man charged with sexually abusing a child and allegedly domestically abusing a woman wants to be bailed close to one of the victims.

An alleged Mount Gambier child sex offender who is also facing domestic violence charges has made a bid for bail a few minutes walk from one of his alleged victims.

The defendant cannot be identified to protect the victims.

His defence lawyer Jarrad Sim told the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court his mental health continued to suffer while on remand.

Mr Sim said factoring in the regional context, proximity to one of the alleged victims should not be a barrier to home detention bail.

“We live in small regional towns,” he said.

“It’s not simple bail — It’s home detention bail. They’re very strict conditions.”

Mr Sim said other defendants had been granted bail despite living close to their alleged victims or after failing to comply with their bail conditions.

“I’ve seen many cases in this court where people cut their ankle bracelets off,” he said.

A Mount Gambier man has been charged with sexually abusing a child and domestically abusing a woman. Picture: File

The man has been charged with maintain unlawful sexual relationship with a person under the age of 17 and two counts of engage in sexual intercourse with a person of the age of 15.

Court documents alleged the sexual assaults occurred between March and May of 2021.

He is also charged with one basic and one aggravated count of assault against his spouse or partner, which allegedly occurred on April 19, 2022.

A police prosecutor told the court officers were strongly opposed to any form of bail.

“Google Maps says the address is only six minutes’ walk away — that’s far too close,” she said.

Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos was also concerned about allegations the defendant had previously coerced the resident at the nominated bail address to contact his alleged victim.

“I’m not prepared to release him on home detention today,” Ms Kossiavelos said.

“I need further information.”

Ms Kossiavelos has not ruled out home detention bail but said the person who had offered the defendant a bail address needed to come to court.

Ms Kossiavelos also wanted “further reports from the authorities” regarding the defendant's mental health.

The man was remanded in custody and will reappear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court later this month.