Dylan Khqustiaan: Ex-Government worker on child abuse, drug charges applies for bail
A Kiwi living in southwest Sydney was jailed after police searched his home and arrested him for allegedly sending child abuse material online and supplying cocaine. He has fronted court to apply for release.
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A New Zealand national charged with sending child abuse material on the internet and supplying cocaine has been released from prison on bail after a court heard a relative was willing to disconnect the internet from their home.
Dylan Khqustiaan, 32, has been in custody since August when police searched his Bankstown home and arrested him.
Police will allege in court he used the internet, including a social media account, to send child abuse material.
Police will also allege in court that during the search of his home – where a number of electronic items were seized for evidence – officers found $12,000 in cash and 50g of cocaine.
The Australian Federal Police began an investigation into Khqustiaan following a tip from NZ Police.
He has been charged with four serious offences including use carriage service for child abuse material, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and deal with proceeds of crime.
Khqustiaan, who formerly worked for the State Government, appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday to apply for bail.
His defence lawyer argued that strict bail conditions could mitigate any risks of his being released.
His lawyer told the court that Khqustiaan’s relative, whom he would be staying with while on bail, had agreed to disconnect the internet from their home to prevent him having online access.
“The bail conditions cannot get any more stringent than what is proposed.”
His lawyer told the court that despite Khqustiaan being in protected custody in prison he had still received threats from other inmates because of the nature of his offences.
“He was approached by an inmate a few days ago and was told he had been claimed ... meaning he was going to be a sexual partner of another inmate.”
He said Khqustiaan had not committed any criminal offences in the past 11 years and had a relatively good record.
The Crown prosecutor alleged Khqustiaan had used encrypted applications and registered a phone under someone else’s name to avoid detection prior to his being arrested.
She said by releasing him on bail there was an unacceptable risk he could use encrypted applications again to avoid detection and commit further offences.
Judge Peter Garling granted him bail taking into consideration his relatively good record, the likely delay of any trials in the NSW District Court, and the proposed bail conditions.
Khqustiaan’s strict bail conditions include to reside with his relative in Bankstown, not to leave the house unless in the company of a close relative, to report to police daily, to enter a surety of $5000, not to access the internet except through one mobile phone which police must be made aware of, not to use any encrypted apps, and not to be around children under 16.
Khqustiaan previously worked as a case manager for the NSW Government’s State Insurance Regulatory Authority according to his LinkedIn page.
He is facing a maximum of 15 years imprisonment for his charges. He has not entered pleas.