Alleged Adelaide paedophile Jadd William Brooker intends to infect children and adults with HIV, court told
A HIV-positive alleged paedophile who lives in Adelaide is seeking bail – but a court has heard police have evidence he intends to deliberately infect children and adults with the virus that causes AIDS.
Police & Courts
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An Adelaide man arrested for online paedophilia offences must not be released on bail because he is HIV+ and intends to “infect both children and adults” with the virus, court documents allege.
SA Police have further alleged Jadd William Brooker has maintained ongoing, unlawful sexual relationships with two underage teenage boys – one of whom has since died by suicide.
On Thursday, Brooker became visibly emotional as police urged the Mount Barker Magistrates Court to reject his bid for home detention bail.
They said he had already been charged with eight offences, and that they expected to arrest up to 40 more people by investigating his digital activities.
Brooker’s reaction drew a stern warning from Magistrate Rodney Oates.
“Stop sitting there shaking your head – just listen to what’s being said,” he told him.
Brooker, 38, of Glenelg East, is the project manager for DSV Air & Sea, a global logistics and transport company.
He has yet to plead to three counts of disseminating, and four counts of possessing, child exploitation material.
Three of those counts are considered aggravated offences, meaning the children allegedly depicted in the material were under the age of 14.
Brooker has been further charged with one count of producing, or taking steps to produce, child exploitation material.
The offences are alleged to have occurred at Glenelg East between December 31, 2015 and August 24 this year.
In police documents, released to The Advertiser by the court, investigators allege Brooker was interviewed following his arrest in order to seek release on bail.
“He stated he previously smoked methylamphetamine for three years but has not used for at least six months,” the documents assert.
“He is HIV+ and, during the course of initial investigations, evidence has been obtained showing the accused’s intention to infect both children and adults with HIV.
“These serious offences, coupled with the allegation of an intention to harm others, has influenced (police) to refuse bail.”
On Thursday, the court heard a bail assessment report had found Brooker’s residence unsuitable for home detention.
Counsel for Brooker said their client’s grandmother was prepared to have him reside with her instead.
Police opposed that course.
“Further to the current charges, police have identified additional offending that will likely lead to further charges being laid,” they said.
“These will be charges of having maintained an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.”
They said investigators had “become aware” Brooker had pursued a boy, 15, for sex during the period of the alleged online offending.
“There is photographic evidence and suggestive messages showing there was a sexual relationship,” they said.
“This child committed suicide when he was just 17.
“There will likely be a further charge of the same offence relating to another child, who was 13 when the relationship began … Brooker travelled to engage in intercourse with that child.”
Police said they feared Brooker would interfere in their investigation if released.
“There are approximately 40 other people being investigated at this time,” they said.
“Police have seized a number of electronic devices (from Brooker, but) there are a number of online apps from which material is yet to be taken.
“If Brooker is released, there is potential that he will make contact with other potential offenders and may delete material that is online.”
Mr Oates said he understood those concerns, but felt it appropriate to first assess whether the home of Brooker’s grandmother was a suitable bail address.
He remanded him in custody to a further hearing next week.