Geoffrey Michael Mew seeking to live on bail just 150m from a kindergarten
This alleged hoarder of guns and maker of child-like sex dolls wants bail for Christmas - to live just 150m from a kindergarten, a court heard.
Police & Courts
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A man accused of guns and firearms offences, and of importing, building and making child-like sex dolls, has sought to live on bail just 150m from a kindergarten.
On Monday, counsel for Geoffrey Michael Mew told the Adelaide Magistrates Court their client’s charges were “not so serious” as to warrant his continued incarceration.
She argued that he needed to be home to support his special needs child and partner over Christmas - but a prosecutor said the family home was itself a problem.
“The proposed bail residence is not only just down the road from the local primary school, it’s 150m from the local kindergarten,” the prosecutor said.
“This defendant has a clearly-demonstrated sexual interest in children, particularly females.
“There is a risk that, even on home detention, he could stand at the front gate of his residence and interact with children as they walk past.”
Mr Mew, 41, of Elizabeth Downs, has yet to plead to a number of drugs, firearms, child exploitation material and illegal importation charges.
He was arrested in August by Australian Border Force and SA’s elite Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.
Prosecutors allege an ABF team intercepted a childlike sex doll being sent to Mr Mew’s address, triggering a search
They allege police found a silver handgun, a black handgun, two break-action long rifles and ammunition, 2g of methamphetamine, electronic scales and plastic bags, and $1341 cash.
They further allege Mew not only imported the parts for childlike sex dolls but manufactured them in his family home and filmed himself using them.
On Monday, Mr Mew’s lawyer insisted her client was being treated too harshly given the allegations.
She said the drugs seized were “for personal use” and that one of the firearms was “merely an air rifle”.
“It was in his possession, but it was given to him by a Vietnam veteran and was in a dusty old bag,” she said.
“We say that’s not a serious firearms offence, it’s minor.”
Magistrate Justin Wickens refused bail, saying the prosecution case was too strong and the alleged offending too serious to warrant release.
He remanded Mr Mew in custody to face court again in March.
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