Oxenford State School principal Patric Brady back in Southport court on grooming, child abuse material charges

“Huge” amounts of evidence in the case against a Gold Coast principal charged with grooming children overseas have been disclosed, with his lawyer revealing where the case could go next.

“Huge” amounts of evidence in the case against a Gold Coast principal accused of using encrypted messaging apps to groom children in the Philippines have been disclosed to his lawyer, a court has been told.

Oxenford State School principal Patric Brady faces numerous charges including grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia, grooming a person to make it easier to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia, and using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material.

Police allege the grooming offences took place between December 21, 2019 and June 22, 2020, and July 14 to September 2 last year.

It is further alleged he sourced child exploitation material at various periods between December, 2019 and August, 2024.

The 54-year-old was arrested at Pimpama in August, following a joint investigation between the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.

Mr Brady was not required to appear when his case was mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

His lawyer Eugene O’Sullivan told the court he had been through parts of the “huge” brief of evidence, but was so far unable to view or open others.

Some statements needing to be obtained from the Philippines were still outstanding, it was heard.

Mr O’Sullivan said the case was likely to proceed to a contested committal hearing.

Mr Brady’s case was adjourned to March 3, 2025 and he remains on bail.

Originally published as Oxenford State School principal Patric Brady back in Southport court on grooming, child abuse material charges