Dean Garry Bolton seeking bail after breaching court orders following conviction for sexual abuse of children

A Clarence Valley man convicted of heinous child sex crimes, including making abuse material, has showed “blatant disregard” for orders meant to protect children.

Dean Garry Bolton, 30, faced Grafton Local Court.

A convicted child sex offender has faced court after breaching strict child protection orders.

Dean Garry Bolton, 30, pleaded guilty before appearing via audio visual link on Tuesday to three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations and another charge. He was applying for bail before sentencing.

In 2017, Bolton was convicted of several child sex abuse offences, including sexual intercourse with a child under 10-years-old and using a child under 14 years to make child abuse material.

Bolton served a prison sentence of six years and three months and was released on parole in March last year.

Bolton was placed on the child protection register.

Bolton, from Palmers Island, near Yamba, has been placed on the child protection register.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Fairleigh told the court Bolton was subject to the orders due to “very serious matters”.

She expressed concern that Bolton continued to offend while on parole and subject to a community corrections order.

Sgt Farleigh said the offending was clearly deliberate and commented on Bolton’s “blatant disregard”.

Bolton pleaded guilty in 2017 to a range of child sex offences.

Ms Fairleigh told the court there was a risk Bolton would commit further offences if released on bail.

“Children are vulnerable members of our community and the Child Protection (Offenders) Registration Act is there to protect them,” she said.

She spoke of Bolton being supported by family members in the courtroom.

“I commend their support but it’s not their responsibility – it’s his. He’s a 30 year old man,” Ms Fairleigh said.

She concluded the risk of reoffending and the safety of children was paramount.

Bolton’s lawyer, Greg Coombs, said strict bail conditions could help protect children.

The suggested bail conditions would mean Bolton would not be allowed a phone or internet, the court heard.

Mr Coombs told the court Bolton was not involved in accessing inappropriate content when he breached the orders.

The Palmers Island man had support from family in Grafton Local Court.

The court heard police had seized Bolton’s phone and conducted a scan.

“If anything inappropriate was done on his phone, it would’ve been glaringly obvious,” Mr Coombs said.

Mr Coombs spoke of his client’s strong ties to the community and his work as a harvester and said Bolton’s family could support him.

Bolton has a short criminal history, apart from the serious child sex offences, the court heard.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said the courts considered the offending to be very serious.

“He’s on the register in the first place to understand the importance of the conditions he was subject to,” she said.

Bolton was refused bail and was expected to face the District Court on January 16 for sentence.