Leon Jessy Leigh Stretton granted bail over alleged sex worker armed robberies
A Queensland man charged with robbing sex workers at gun and knifepoint has been released on bail because of ongoing DNA evidence woes.
Police & Courts
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A Queensland man charged with robbing Mackay sex workers at gun and knifepoint has been released because of ongoing DNA evidence woes.
Leon Jessy Leigh Stretton has now been granted his freedom bid but will be fitted with a tracking device, after a magistrate agreed he was at risk he might spend too long behind bars before the case was finalised.
The Bowen man has been in jail on remand since September 2023 over the alleged armed robberies however Mackay Magistrates Court heard DNA evidence linked to the case would not be available until November 2024.
The court heard as a result Mr Stretton could be at risk of spending about two years in custody for an alleged crime for which he might only receive a maximum of four years if convicted.
Police allege Mr Stretton, 30, booked an appointment with a 52-year-old woman at a massage business on Nebo Rd about 1am on September 19 and, before any sexual services were exchanged, pulled out a gun and took the woman’s cash and cards.
It is further alleged he then booked an appointment with a 55-year-old woman at a private home in Mackay at 4pm that same day and, armed with a knife, took cash before fleeing the scene.
He is charged with two counts of armed robbery over the incidents, as well as other offences including common assault, failing to appear in court, possessing dangerous drugs, failing to comply with reporting conditions and fraud.
ATSILS solicitor Daniel Lane applied for bail for Mr Stretton, who had been in custody more than eight months.
Magistrate Damien Dwyer indicated he would grant bail after suggesting Mr Stretton would not receive more than four years jail if convicted and prosecutor Ms Whisker was not able to argue why he serve more than the customary one third behind bars.
In Queensland most offenders will usually serve up to one third of any jail term unless they were found guilty at trial, have a history so bad or the crime is serious enough that one third is deemed inadequate, or a serious violent offender declaration is made.
Ms Whisker tried to argue for strict bail conditions including that Mr Stretton be banned from returning to Mackay except for court appearances and no contact with any masseuse.
Mr Dwyer rejected these conditions, but Mr Stretton will be fitted with an ankle monitoring bracelet, must live in Bowen and there are no contact orders against the women involved in the case.
The case was adjourned to late December for committal mention.
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