Jason Lee Pipe will remain in custody after being charged with possessing child exploitation material

An Adelaide man who was allegedly filming and following minors in public places has been refused bail that could have seen him in walking distance of 11 schools, a court has heard.

A convicted perv who had only recently finished a suspended sentence, has had his home detention bail application refused.

Jason Lee Pipe, 37, appeared via video link from Mount Gambier, applied for bail to his mother’s address earlier this month.

Police alleged Mr Pipe had a large amount of child exploitation material on his mobile phone and were opposed to all forms of bail.

The court heard that Mr Pipe allegedly had set up a ‘spy’ camera to film minors in public places between January and August 2022, mainly children ranging from the ages of two-years-old through to 17 years.

“Not only was he filming these children, in some instances he was following the children as well,” police prosecution said.

The court heard Mr Pipe was previously convicted of 34 counts of possessing child exploitation material in the Northern Territory back in 2019. He was sentenced to two years and three months jail before it was suspended for two years and six months.

The court heard Mr Pipe’s mother was going to diminish any access to the internet to prohibit breaching his bail, while prosecution argued that the location of the home was also an opportunity to reoffend.

“There are around 11 childcares and schools in the proposed area, as well as a number of playgrounds and parks that children of all ages frequent,” said the police prosecutor.

Mr Pipe applied for bail in the supreme court in December 2022, which was dismissed.

Defence counsel for Mr Pipe argued that there were ‘much worse’ charges before the court that still allowed defendants to be bailed.

Magistrate Paul Foley refused bail on the basis that there are overwhelming devices that could allow for reoffending at the address.

“These devices are so widely available today, I cannot be satisfied with home detention with various conditions.”

Mr Pipe will return to court in March.