Christopher Middleton: Harrison man charged with child abuse material charges fronts ACT Magistrates Court

A 20-year-old McDonalds employee accused of producing, possessing and distributing child sex abuse material has faced the ACT Magistrates Court for the first time.

A 20 year old man accused of possessing, distributing and producing child sex abuse material has faced court for the first time.

Harrison man Christopher Alex Middleton appeared before ACT Magistrates Court for a first mention and bail variation on Wednesday.

He has been charged with producing child abuse material, using a carriage service for child abuse material and controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.

Mr Middleton has not entered any pleas.

His lawyer Carley Hitchins, from Aulich Law, said her client wanted two changes to his bail conditions being the removal of weekly reporting to police and a ban on accessing the internet.

The prosecution had no concern with allowing Middleton internet access but did oppose the change to his reporting requirements.

Christopher Middleton leaves The ACT Law Courts on Wednesday. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The court heard since Middleton’s arrest in November he had been required to report to a police station weekly on Wednesdays.

Prosecutor Natasha Purvis told Magistrate Louise Taylor the reporting requirements remained necessary to “remind” the defendant of his bail conditions.

She noted all charges before the court carry jail time if convicted and said due to Covid-19, police had difficulties in attending people’s homes for bail checks.

Ms Purvis told the court of allegations that Middleton had planned to commit acts against a 13-year-old child with another person, and she expected more charges to be laid.

When asked when those charged were expected to be laid, Ms Purvis said she didn’t know.

Middleton was described by the prosecution as a flight risk due to the seriousness of the charges.

A support person (blue shirt) attempts to shield Christopher Middleton (white shirt) from cameras as he leaves the ACT Law Courts. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

These claims were met with scepticism by Magistrate Taylor who ultimately removed the defendant’s requirement to report to police weekly.

Ms Taylor asked if Middleton lived with his parents and was told by Ms Purvis he still lived at home and was financially dependent on his parents while maintaining a casual job at McDonalds.

The magistrate stated if this is the case it would be difficult for the defendant to flee the ACT.

Ms Purvis sought to tender the Statement of Facts multiple times during the court appearance and each time the magistrate said it was not necessary at this time.

Regarding the possibility of further charges to be brought against Middleton, Ms Taylor said she would only deal with the charges currently against him.

She questioned the prosecution’s claim that police had difficulty making bail checks due to Covid-19, and said if he had the desire to flee the ACT he would have already done so already.

In relation to the potential of jail time, the magistrate reminded Ms Purvis the defendant was considered innocent until proven guilty.

Christopher Middleton is charged with possessing, distributing and producing child sex abuse material. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Middleton was arrested on November 17 last year following the execution of a search warrant at his house by members of the ACT Joint Child Exploitation Team (JACET) alongside ACT Policing Criminal Investigations, the AFP Victim Identification Team and a specialist canine technology detection dog.

During the warrant police allege they seized two mobile phones and two laptop computers that contained child abuse material. Following his arrest he received police bail.

If convicted Middleton could face a maximum jail term of 15 years.

He is due to reappear in court on March 31.