Mark Arthur Williscroft allegedly found with child abuse, bestiality material: court

An investigation into allegations of train vandalism led to a Helensburgh man being charged over alleged child abuse and bestiality material, and a sex act on a child.

Police Transport Command police making inquiries about alleged train vandalism have charged a man with 12 extra offences.

A bakery delivery driver has been refused bail after a train vandalism case led police to lay child abuse and bestiality charges, a court has heard.

Helensburgh man Mark Arthur Williscroft, 39, was arrested last month while the Proactive Crime Team from the Police Transport Command South West was investigating alleged train and property vandalism.

Officers searched his home where investigators seized several items relevant to the investigation including a laptop and USB device.

The court heard Mr Williscroft was charged with property, weapon, prohibited drug and theft offences and those matters are yet to be finalised.

Following an examination of the seized electronic devices from that search, he was arrested at Sutherland police station on Wednesday.

He was charged with 12 extra offences including possession and control of child abuse material originated from overseas, possessing child abuse material, possessing bestiality material and two counts of committing a sexual act towards another, with one alleged offence against an Asian girl aged between 10 and 16 years.

Police alleged in court documents the child abuse material originated from Asia and Europe and Mr Williscroft masturbated at Penrith in January and March last year, leading to the sexual act charges.

He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Thursday when his lawyer Leia Wijeyaratne applied for bail for her client.

She told the court Mr Williscroft needed to provide physical, emotional and financial care for his 82-year-old mother.

Ms Wijeyaratne said the train and property vandalism charges were a very different nature to the fresh charges and Mr Williscroft could face a long time in custody.

However, Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused bail for the “extremely serious” allegations.

“It’s just about inevitable, if convicted, nothing other than a lengthy jail time sentence would be imposed,’’ he said.

Mr Williscroft appeared via video link and bowed his head when he was refused bail.

The matter was adjourned to Wollongong Local Court on March 8.