Sydney banking executive Christopher James McCann accused of procuring teenage girl to hotel for sex

A teen sex worker charged with procuring a girl aged under 16, allegedly for sex with a bank executive at a Brisbane hotel room, has had supporters attend her court case.

Christopher James McCann, 50, has been charged with one count of using electronic communication to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act. Picture: LinkedIn

An 18-year-old sex worker charged with procuring a child for a high-profile bank executive to have sex with in a Brisbane hotel room, has had her case mentioned in court.

Christopher James McCann, 50, was extradited to Queensland on Thursday night after New South Wales Police arrested him at Sydney Airport.

Police will allege McCann used Brisbane sex worker, Shauntelle Went, 18, to procure a teenage girl on his behalf while he was visiting the city from Sydney on May 15.

McCann is listed as the head of health and social infrastructure at Commonwealth Bank in Sydney.

NSW Police Force officers and State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad established Strike Force Coalhurst in March to investigate McCann.

Christopher James McCann, 50 after his arrest in Sydney. Picture: 7 News

The detectives found he allegedly made attempts to procure the child and the matter was referred to Queensland Police Service’s child exploitation unit, Taskforce Argos.

Following an extensive investigation from both police services, a warrant for his arrest was granted and he was arrested at Sydney Airport this week.

McCann has been charged with one count of using electronic communication to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act.

His co-accused, Went, was arrested on Friday and charged with using electronic communication to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act.

Both McCann and Went’s matters faced Brisbane Arrests Court on Friday, where prosecutor Jordan Theed said the circumstances of the case were “unusual”.

“It’s somewhat unusual in the circumstances where the allegations are that Mr McCann has used the co-accused – being an 18-year-old sex worker – to procure the child for the alleged offending,” Mr Theed said.

Went’s matter was briefly mentioned at Brisbane Arrest Court on Saturday and adjourned for a bail application on Monday.

Legal aid duty lawyer Lana Millar said Ms Went was still in the process of attempting to contact a lawyer.

A group of people attended court in support of Went and declined to speak to media outside court.

Defence lawyer Evan O’Hanlon-Rose had foreshadowed earlier in proceedings that McCann would be making an application for bail, until Went was arrested.

Magistrate Julian Noud said it would be best for the applications to proceed together, and adjourned both matters to Monday.

McCann and Went were both remanded in custody.

Argos Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Burke said the arrest serves as a stark reminder to anyone seeking to exploit or harm children.

“Argos investigators and police across the country work collaboratively to share information, intelligence and investigative assistance. We are constantly online, working tirelessly to identify and apprehend offenders,” Inspector Burke said.

Christopher James McCann, 50, who was extradited to Queensland. Picture: 7 News

“Our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community remains unwavering, and we will continue to pursue those who pose a threat to children.”

McCann’s LinkedIn lists him as having 20 years’ experience in finance where he worked for multiple of the country’s biggest banks, including starting at Commonwealth Bank nine months ago.

Commonwealth Bank declined to comment on the matter.

“Working closely with Queensland Police, we were able to track a suspect who believed interstate travel would allow him to evade detection. He was wrong,” Det Supt Doherty said.

“These joint efforts demonstrate that our law enforcement capabilities don’t stop at state borders. If you fly interstate to commit crimes, know that our reach is national.”