Court: Nambucca Valley’s Alex Bargmann unable to attend detention hearing

A man who allegedly possessed child abuse material has missed a detention hearing after his lawyer revealed he’s in a “mental institution”. Catch the latest from court.

Alex Bargmann (left under the jacket) and supporter outside Coffs Harbour Court on September 9 2025.

A NSW court heard a man charged with child abuse material offences was unable to attend a detention hearing because he was in a “mental institution”.

Alex Bargmann, 31, was due in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday where police were trying for the second time to have the cleaner detained.

A previous bid at his prior court attendance failed due to insufficient notice.

In a twist during the renewed detention bid, defence solicitor Peter Skene told the court Bargmann had been placed in a mental facility.

“I believe he’s going to be there for some time,” Mr Skene said.

Alex Bargmann and a supporter leave Coffs Harbour local court on Tuesday September 9.

Despite Bargmann’s absence, prosecutor Sergeant Bunting continued with the application for his detention, citing additional child abuse material charges.

Mr Skene, however, argued that the current “rather stringent” bail conditions were “sufficient and should continue”.

Alex Bargmann was not in court for the second attempt by police for his detention application on Wednesday.

Magistrate Theresa Hamilton told the court the charges were “very concerning and serious matters,” but ultimately allowed bail to continue.

Meanwhile, Bargmann’s co-accused, Jorga Stoneham, 23, is on remand for similar charges.

Bargmann is charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material, three counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse, using a carriage service to access child abuse material, using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, and five counts of possessing an unregistered firearm-pistol.

Stoneham’s charges include five counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material and one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material.

Neither have entered pleas.

Bargmann and Stoneham return to court on October 14.

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Originally published as Court: Nambucca Valley’s Alex Bargmann unable to attend detention hearing