Alleged child predator released on strict bail after appearance in Toowoomba Magistrates Court

After spending six months in police custody on remand for allegedly raping a child, a Toowoomba man has been granted bail. Here’s what else police allege he did.

A Toowoomba man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl has been ordered to hand in his passports and wear a police monitoring device upon his release from police custody. Picture: innovatedcaptures / iStock

A man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl has been ordered to hand in his passports and wear a police monitoring device upon his release from police custody.

He was released on Wednesday, August 29, after spending six months and two weeks in police custody on remand.

For legal reasons, the man in his 20s, cannot be named until the court case is committed to stand trial.

Toowoomba police charged the man with the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl, exposing his genitalia to a child under 16 (indecent treatment), and supplying the second alleged victim child with his vape.

The Toowoomba courthouse, police station, and watch house. Picture: Peta McEachern

On Tuesday, August 29, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told the rape charge was scheduled for trial in August 2023, however it did not proceed because hospital staff released the alleged victim’s entire healthcare file to the man’s lawyer – including counselling documents.

Following a refused bail application in February, the man’s new legal team submitted a successful bail application, with magistrate Kay Philipson presiding over the case on both occasions.

Ms Philipson said circumstances had since changed, and conceded the man may be at risk of serving more time in custody, than he would if he pleaded guilty to the alleged rape, as it would likely be 18 months before the case went to trial.

She said the strength of the Crown case had changed in relation to the rape charge, however noted the charge would remain in some form and may be downgraded to a different kind of sex offence.

The court was told when the young man first applied for bail he had no fixed address, however he now had a place to stay within Toowoomba.

Police charged the man with rape, indecent treatment of a child under 16, and supplying the victim child with his vape. Picture: Peta McEachern

Ms Philipson said she would grant the man bail with strict conditions and firmly warned him if he did not comply with the terms, he would find himself back in custody on remand until the case was finalised.

The man asked if he could use the Facebook Messenger phone application the contact friends from his home country, however Ms Philipson refused to grant permission, citing the seriousness of the allegation and risk of reoffending.

She also noted the man frequently used social media applications to message underage girls.

The court was told the case was set to proceed to a committal hearing where witnesses will be cross-examined, and it would next be mentioned before the court on September 19.

His bail conditions are as follows:

•Cannot talk to or associate with females under the age of 18

•Wear an ankle-monitoring device

•Can only have one phone, and hand it over to police when asked

•Cannot use any social media or dating applications

•Within 74 hours of his release, organise a mental health plan with a GP and attend all recommended psychologist appointments

•Hand in his passports, and not to enter an international airport or seaport.

•A curfew between 9pm and 4am

•Report to a police station three times a week

•Not leave the state without police permission

•Show up to all court proceedings when his appearance is required

•Live at the address nominated on his bail

•Cannot attempt to contact any witnesses

•If contacted by police, respond to them as soon as reasonably possible

Originally published as Alleged child predator released on strict bail after appearance in Toowoomba Magistrates Court