Andrew Hanna: Ruse man charged with sexual intercourse with child

A man has appeared in court after he allegedly had sex with a vulnerable 14-year-old he had sent a “friend request” to on social media, a court has heard.

A 39-year-old man who allegedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl, who has autism and ADHD, who he had met online has made a bid for bail.

Andrew Hanna, of Ruse, has been charged with four counts of have sexual intercourse with child under 16 and over 14.

Penrith Local Court heard on Friday Hanna allegedly met the girl on social media before the sexual incidents – which are the subject of the criminal charges – transpired.

“He sent her a friend request and he continued contacting her knowing and being told she was 14,” the police prosecutor said.

“She met with him four or five times, in which intercourse did take place. In relation to the seriousness, these are planned premeditated meetings where he has had sexual intercourse with this child.”

Hanna applied for bail at Penrith Local Court.

The prosecutor told the court he was “confident” in the strength of the case, with Hanna likely to be jailed if convicted.

“He has no special circumstances requiring him to be released from custody,” he said.

“There is little chance of any bail condition curbing his behaviour … and in that regard he is not a suitable person to be released.”

Hanna’s lawyer, when arguing for his release on bail, told the court the alleged child sex offender was relatively young, was in jail on remand for the first time in his life and needed the opportunity for treatment. The lawyer also told the court there was a lack of evidence in the police case.

Magistrate Mark Whelan refused the bail application, in light of Hanna’s criminal record and the age and vulnerable state of the alleged victim.

The matter will return to court later this month.