Sunshine Coast sporting identity arrested on child sexual abuse charges
A well-known Sunshine Coast sporting identity has been arrested and taken into police custody accused of sexually abusing an underage girl for almost a year.
Police & Courts
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A well-known Sunshine Coast sporting identity has been arrested on child sex charges.
The man in his 40s, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim, was taken into custody at the weekend following an investigation by the Sunshine Coast Child Protection Investigation Unit.
Police allege the sporting identity maintained a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl who was known to him.
Police prosecutor Tara Miles alleged during the man’s bail application in court on Monday that the offending began in January and ran until November.
Senior Constable Miles said the man was allegedly in a position of authority over the vulnerable child.
She said the man’s phone was seized and was examined since his arrest, with the alleged victim giving a statement to police.
Defence solicitor Rose Killip pushed for the man’s release on bail and said the sporting identity ran his own business and had no criminal history.
His lawyer stated the alleged victim was not related to him and gave one statement which has not been tested yet in court.
Ms Killip said he was contesting all allegations. In the meantime the man would abide by strict conditions.
Magistrate Chris Callaghan believed it was a strong case against the man which involved the underage girl living with the man at one point.
The man appeared to weep while he watched on by video from the Maroochydore watch-house as he was granted bail on strict conditions.
He will return to court for his next mention in February next year, where he faces four counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one count each of grooming and rape.
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