Mark Francis Stafford: Former Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saver charged with child abuse offences

A former Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving club member is in court after being charged with child abuse crimes allegedly committed on the Gold Coast. Read what we know so far.

Former surf life saving club member Mark Francis Stafford is in court for child abuse charges.

A former Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaver is back in court after being charged with child abuse offences.

Mark Francis Stafford, 65, appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday for a committal hearing.

The Arundel electrician is before the court for eight counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16.

Court documents allege Stafford committed the charges against a child who was under 12 years old between 2022 and 2025.

Mark Francis Stafford (right) leaves Southport Courthouse with his lawyer Brendan Ryan (left). Picture: Emily Walker

The former Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving club member had his membership revoked by the club for a separate matter prior to 2015.

In court, Stafford’s lawyer Brendan Ryan from Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers said his client did not intend to enter a plea at this time.

Magistrate Deborah Mitchell committed the matter for trial at the Southport District Court on a date yet to be determined.

Stafford’s bail was granted to continue. Picture: Emily Walker

Stafford’s bail was granted to continue despite the Arundel man also being charged with two counts of breaching bail.

Court documents reveal Stafford allegedly breached his conditions just two days after he was granted bail.

His bail conditions include he must not contact his alleged victim or the alleged victim’s family, he can’t travel internationally and he must not enter within the boundary of any public parks, school grounds and/or child care centres.

Originally published as Mark Francis Stafford: Former Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saver charged with child abuse offences