Steven John Whiteoak in court for sexual assault
A man is accused of ripping off his ankle tracker only hours after being granted bail on indecent treatment charges allegedly committed at a luxe over 50s resort.
Police & Courts
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A Hervey Bay man facing sexual assault and indecent treatment charges allegedly ripped off his ankle tracking bracelet only hours after being bailed.
Steven John Whiteoak, 47, faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with offences including wilful damage of police property, breach of bail condition, sexual assaults and indecent treatment of children.
The court heard the alleged offences were committed on January 8 at a unit in a luxe over 50s resort.
Upon being charged and released from custody at the Hervey Bay Police Station, he then returned to the unit despite it being a condition of his bail not to do so.
The court heard only two hours after having it fitted, he damaged the ankle tracker, subsequently removing it.
Appearing via video link from the Maryborough Correctional Centre, Whiteoak was supported in court by his mother who sat in the public gallery.
He was represented by Virginia Ukpabi and applied for bail.
Ms Ukpabi said Whiteoak had been having a “rough time” behind bars, resulting in him being placed on suicide watch for three weeks.
She told the court if bail was granted, he planned to reside at an address in Buderim, 199km south of Hervey Bay.
Police prosecutor Louese McConnell opposed bail and said Whiteoak “had already been given the opportunity” to abide by the bail.
Magistrate Trinity McGarvie rejected his application, describing him as an “unacceptable risk”.
Ms McGarvie committed him to face trial in Hervey Bay District Court on indecent treatment of children and sexual assault charges.
She also adjourned an unrelated summary charges matter until April 8.
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