Andrew Ralston: Registered child sex offender released on bail

A registered child sex offender has been released on bail after spending seven months in custody on remand.

A man charged with child sex related crimes has been released on bail after spending seven months remanded in custody.

Queanbeyan man Andrew Ralston appeared via video link from Long Bay Jail at Queanbeyan Local Court on Tuesday.

Ralston has pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations while on the Child Sex Offender Registry.

He faces two counts of intentionally doing a sex act with a child aged between 10 and 16 with both charges relating to one complainant who was aged 14 at the time.

Ralston has not entered pleas for those charges.

Six charges against him were withdrawn on Tuesday; two counts of sexually touching a child under 10, intentionally carrying out a sexual act with a child under ten, entering a building or land with intention to commit an indictable offence, common assault and a separate charge for failing to comply with reporting obligations.

The prosecutor argued releasing Ralston on bail posed an “unacceptable risk” and said the man had a “history of non compliance” with court orders.

Andrew Ralston has been released on bail after spending seven months remanded in custody.

“(The complainant) felt she couldn’t go into the yard due to the behaviour of Ralston,” the prosecutor said.

“This child shouldn’t be afraid in her own home.”

The court heard the complainant alleged Ralston blew kisses at her, lifted his shirt up and mouthed “I love you” to her.

Defence lawyer Luke Vozella described the case against his client as weak, citing the six withdrawn charges.

He said his client had a right to return to his own home while on bail.

“He’s got to come back to the community at some time,” Mr Vozella said.

Following a short adjournment Magistrate Roger Clisdell said concerns raised by prosecutors could be dealt with by bail conditions.

Mr Clisdell stated the two failure to comply charges related to Ralston failing to report email addresses and Facebook accounts he had access to which did not use his name.

“(Mr Ralston should) not get involved in the activities that put him on the (child sex offender) register and convicted in the ACT,” Mr Clisdell said.

Under bail conditions Ralston must not contact or be near the complainant.

He is also under strict conditions relating to his movement to avoid contact with the complainant.

After his bail was granted Ralston said “thank you sir, I won’t let you down.”

Ralston will return to Queanbeyan Local Court in May for hearing.