Brendon James Brooks denied bail after allegedly being found with childlike sex dolls, knives, rope at Morpeth

A Hunter man has made a bid for bail after allegedly being found with numerous childlike sex dolls, knives, rope and a mattress inside his car outside a Maitland church.

Brendon James Brooks was arrested by police at Morpeth and later charged with possessing child abuse material and childlike sex dolls. Picture: Supplied

A Newcastle magistrate has described the alleged actions of a man as “disturbing” after a court heard he was found with numerous childlike sex dolls, knives, rope and a mattress in his car outside a Maitland church.

Brendon James Brooks was dramatically arrested outside the Immaculate Conception Church at Morpeth on May 3, when police received calls from residents about his strange behaviour, which included singing and dancing around a small statue.

The 45-year-old allegedly told arriving police he was in possession of a knife, before officers wrestled him to the ground.

A search of his Toyota Corolla allegedly found the torsos of five childlike sex dolls inside suitcases, knives and rope, while the car’s back seat had also been removed and replaced with a mattress.

Police allege at least 30 child abuse images were found in a folder on a seized hard drive.

Police arrest Brendon Brooks at Morpeth on May 3. Picture: Supplied

Court documents allege there were also two notebooks containing names of people in his local area, some of them with young children.

Brooks was charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material, possessing a childlike sex doll or other object, having custody of a knife in a public place, and hindering or resisting police.

The suitcase allegedly found by police in Brooks’ vehicle. Picture: Supplied

More than three months after his arrest, Brooks made his first bid for bail at Newcastle Local Court on Friday.

His solicitor, Mark Ramsland, disputed the characterisation of “childlike” sex dolls, saying they had been obtained from an Australian website, one of which was eBay, and were adult sex dolls.

The Immaculate Conception Church at Morpeth, where Brooks was reported acting strangely. Picture: Google Maps

Mr Ramsland said they became childlike because of the clothing worn.

He said it was a “very unusual” case and asked magistrate Janine Lacy to take into account his client’s significant mental health issues.

The lawyer proposed bail conditions he argued could ensure risks were mitigated if Brooks were to be released.

But the Crown argued the sex dolls resembled someone under 18 and said they were also dressed in childlike clothes, with the court hearing there were packets of underwear with unicorns and Barbie on them, marked in girls’ sizes.

“I have read through the facts, which are disturbing to say the least,” Ms Lacy said.

She said while Brooks had no prior criminal convictions, she found there to be a strong prosecution case and her initial observations were that the dolls were childlike, which heightened the risk to the community and children.

Bail was refused and Brooks will reappear in court at the end of the month.