Child sex accused Marcus Carlo Cappo, Cappo Seafood heir, charges continue
The lawyer for a teenage SA seafood heir charged with an array of child sexual exploitation offences has rallied to have the charges dismissed.
West & Beaches
Don't miss out on the headlines from West & Beaches. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The lawyer for a junior heir to an SA seafood fortune has unsuccessfully gone to all lengths to try and get his client’s child sex charges dropped.
His client, Marcus Carlo Cappo, the great-grandson of the Cappo Seafoods founder, faces an array of child sexual exploitation charges.
Chief Magistrate Judge Mary-Louise Hribal declined to dismiss the charges, instead instructing Mr Cappo to return to the Adelaide Magistrates Court in next month.
During the tense hearing, Andrew Moffa, for Mr Cappo, claimed his client had been prejudiced by media interest in the case and that SA Police had been “unsatisfactory” in following the courts’ processes.
“There is a requirement, there is a process,” he said.
A police prosecutor pushed back against the application, telling the court Mr Cappo’s iPhone had finally been scoured for evidence.
He said the collection of evidence had taken extra time because police were only able to view the material for a maximum of two hours at a time.
Mr Cappo first appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in October on seven counts of procuring a child for sexual activity, seven of both producing and possessing child exploitation material and a further three counts of disseminating the same form of material.
If found guilty, a single count of procuring a child for sexual activity carries with it a maximum sentence of 10 years‘ prison.
The Cheltenham teen had earlier been granted police bail on the swath of serious charges after being arrested earlier in the year.
According to court documents the allegations happened at Pooraka and Greenwith between September 18, 2021 and May 1, last year.
Mr Cappo’s bail was allowed to continue as he was deferred to the city courts where it would be determined if the charges were major indictable and carried a heftier penalty.
That determination had not yet been made as the matter was adjourned into next month.
There is no suggestion Matthew Cappo or Cappo Seafoods are involved in any of Marcus Cappo’s charges.
‘When I’m 6, I’ll get a job’: Help us find SA’s cutest kindy kid
Funny remarks, endless questions and personalities shining through – there is a lot to love about this special age. Nominate your adorable kindergarten kid today.
Inside the circle of power: The who’s who of Liberal factions
The kingpins hold the power, the rising stars are vying for it and then there’s the foot soldiers. We break down who is calling the shots in the Liberal Party.