Roma man accused of indecent treatment of children and rape requested to move to Miles

The man, who is accused of serious sex offences, asked the court to amend his bail so he could move an hour and a half away to Miles, but police objected the planned move.

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A Roma man charged with serious sex offences including the indecent treatment of children and two counts of rape has been denied a request to amend his bail so he could move to Miles.

Roma Magistrates Court heard the man, who used a wheelchair and who cannot be named, requested his bail be amended to allow him to move an hour and a half away.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens opposed the request, saying he was only notified of the planned move minutes before the court appearance.

“Due to the nature of the case, we require notice and would need to check out the new address in Miles,” he said.

Magistrate Peter Saggers agreed that police would need to do thorough checks of the Miles address, and denied the request.

In court on July 21, solicitor Laurie Parker also asked to withdraw from the case, saying he was conflicted in the matter.

He said police have passed on a partial brief of evidence and were awaiting more information and solicitor Leslee Reed would be taking over the matter.

The Magistrate told the man, who was surrounded by family members in the back of the court, that he needed to inform the court about how his Legal Aid funding was progressing at the next court sitting on August 2.

The man must reside in Roma and his matter was adjourned until next month.