Mimbi’s Diner: Matthew Brown back behind bars after bail revoked

A popular diner owner who allegedly tried to pay teen girls for sex and send him intimate pictures has had his bail revoked in dramatic scenes.

A south coast diner owner charged with child sex offences has been taken into custody by detectives after his bail was revoked.

Matthew John Brown, 34, who owns Mimbi’s Diner in Merimbula, faced Bega Local Court on April 13, where he pleaded not guilty to a fresh charge of intimidating police.

Police allege Mr Brown tried to pay two teenage girls to perform sexual acts and send him explicit photographs.

The court heard Mr Brown menaced one of the teens on Facebook after his attempts failed.

Mimbi's Diner owner Matthew Brown is facing child sex charges.

Mr Brown has also pleaded not guilty to grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity, causing a child to do an act of child prostitution and sexually touching a third alleged victim without her consent.

Mr Brown is yet to enter a plea to the charges of using a carriage service to procure some under 16 for sexual activity, using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material and using a carriage service to menace.

The court heard a friend of Mr Brown’s known as “Richard”, who had agreed to allow Mr Brown to stay at his Merimbula home while on bail, had failed to sign the relevant paperwork.

Matthew Brown faced Bega Local Court on a fresh charge of police intimidation. Picture: Google Maps

Police prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Ryan told the court police also had concerns the new Merimbula address was not suitable.

In dramatic scenes a dejected looking Mr Brown was placed in the dock and Bega detectives called to the courthouse to take him into custody due to there being no Corrective Services staff present in court.

Mr Brown’s lawyer Tony Cullinan told the court he will be “working hard” to secure his client’s release “sooner rather than later”.

Court documents reveal the alleged offences took place between 2019 and 2020, and involve two teenage girls and a woman.

Police allege Mr Brown used Facebook Messenger to menace one of the teens in the months after he attempted to procure her online for sexual activity.

He eill face Bega Local Court on May 11 over five charges, including grooming, child prostitution and menacing one of his victim’s via Facebook.

He will also face a hearing in Bega Local Court on May 12 for the charge of intimidating police, and a further hearing on June 10 over the sexual touching charge relating to his third alleged victim.