Steven Capsis: Marie Ficarra in court character reference

An OAM recipient and former MP has written a character reference for a man on multiple child abuse material charges, saying his family has been through a “torrid time”.

A former Liberal MP has written a character reference for a man charged by police with possessing child abuse material, filming schoolgirls around the Shire and stashing a childlike sex doll as he attempted to be released into the community.

Steven Capsis, son of well-known Shire pastor George Capsis, has launched a second bail application in the Supreme Court on Monday after previously being knocked back earlier this year.

Among documents tendered as part of his application were references from his father, Reverend Capsis, and former state Liberal MP Marie Ficarra.

Ms Ficarra, who quit politics in 2015, wrote a letter in support of Capsis who has been charged with six counts of possessing child abuse material and one each of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, intentionally record intimate images without consent and possessing a childlike sex doll.

Marie Ficarra, pictured, said she was “very proud” of her association with Rev George Capsis and his family. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

She said she had known the Capsis family for a long time and had “no regrets” about the reference.

“It’s a very sad situation,” she said.

“I’m a great believer in the judicial system and having police examine the evidence it will bring the right outcome.

“He’s been (in custody) a long time waiting for this and that has had an effect on him, hopefully not all negative, hopefully some positive.

“It’s all very traumatic for the family.

“It’s really unfortunate. I’m not a parent myself. I’ve got a big Italian family and his parents have gone through a torrid time.”

Crown prosecutor Stephen Makin, who opposed bail, told the court Capsis had a “fixation” with young women and was filming schoolgirls from a hidden Sony handycam at the beach and outside schools.

A court previously heard the camera was attached to his car registration plate.

Some of that footage, Mr Makin said, was taken outside the address Capsis wanted to be released to.

Capsis’ lawyer Daniel Maxton said the 46-year-old had endured a tough time while in jail on remand when word got around he was facing offences related to children.

Rev George Capsis, pictured, wrote a letter to the court on Monday. The pastor is a well-known figure around the Shire.

The court was told Capsis needed medical treatment on the outside for ADHD that had not been immediately forthcoming since he was placed in custody last November.

Some of the charges are expected to be withdrawn by police when the matter next goes before a court.

The most serious of Capsis’ charges has a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.

“He is in a protection environment he fears for his safety by virtue of the charges that have been brought against him,” Mr Maxton said.

His father, Reverend Capsis, was a key figure within the Cronulla Sharks organisation in the 1980s and the 1990s when he was counselling several of their key players.

A document tendered by police and read to the court detailed that Steveb Capsis had “longstanding pedophilic urges” but Justice Peter Garling said there was no expert evidence to support that.

Justice Peter Garling granted Capsis bail on the condition he not go near schools, has only one phone, can only leave the house in the company of his parents and has agreed that he cannot access the internet while working at his new job at Lawrence and Hanson.

His case will return to Sutherland Local Court next month.

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