Rishan Bright Wade Perera charged with failing to give up phone password, possessing child exploitation material

A young Basketball SA referee has faced court after allegedly hiding his phone from police, which cops say contained child exploitation material.

A young Basketball SA referee and hills cafe manager has faced court after allegedly planning a “bathroom meetup” with a teen boy and possessing child exploitation material.

On Monday afternoon, Rishan Bright Wade Perera, 24, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with one count each of failing to provide access to electronic data and possessing child exploitation material. No pleas have been entered.

Police prosecutors told the court they were opposed to all forms of bail, and alleged Mr Perera had been planning to meet up with a teenage boy before his arrest.

“There are serious allegations, and police received information that he had been communicating online with a 14-year-old male child and had arranged to meet the child at the Adelaide Oval for the purpose of (engaging in sexual acts) with the child in the bathroom,” police prosecutors said.

“Further information was received that he was accessing child exploitation material of children under the age of 10 involved in sexual acts.

“Police seized his mobile phone, which was examined. Police then located a second phone in his clothing and he refused to provide the passcode for that phone.

“Preliminary examination of the first phone found at least 14 images of child exploitation material – at least 12 of which were pre-pubescent children.”

According to his social media, Mr Perera, of Mitchell Park, attended the Australian Science and Maths School before studying philosophy and politics at the University of Adelaide.

Rishan Perera appeared in court charged with failing to provide access to his phone and possessing child exploitation material. Picture: Facebook

He is also a basketball referee at Basketball Australia, according to his social media account. Picture: Facebook

He is also a basketball referee at Basketball Australia, according to his Facebook page.

Joseph Henderson, for Mr Perera, said his client had a shift at a popular Hahndorf cafe – where he works as a manager – on the day police allege he had planned to meet the child.

Mr Henderson asked Magistrate Paul Foley not to place much weight on the alleged plans, as his client had not acted upon them.

“My client is charged with failing to provide electronic data and possessing child exploitation material. There is no charge in relation to the (meet up plans).”

The court however heard investigations into Mr Perera’s alleged plans were ongoing.

Magistrate Foley adjourned the bail application and ordered a home detention report.

Outside court, Mr Perera’s mother – who sat in on the hearing – declined to comment.

Mr Perera will return to court next week.

Detective Senior Sergeant Amanda Lewis said they are still investigating the matter.

“I urge members of the public who have information which may assist police to contact the South Australia Police,” Sergeant Lewis said.

“Anyone in the community who needs to access support is encouraged to visit the ACCCE website for a full list of available support services and contacts.”