Alex Bargmann faces child abuse material allegations in Kempsey court
The owner of a Mid-North Coast cleaning business has pleaded for bail after being arrested and hauled before the court charged with possessing child abuse material.
Regional News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Regional News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The owner of a Mid-North Coast cleaning business has pleaded for bail after being arrested and hauled before the court charged with possessing child abuse material.
Alex Bargmann appeared before Kempsey Local Court on Thursday by video link from the police station cells following his arrest.
His wife and parents sat in the public gallery as his defence lawyer presented a case for him to be released on bail.
For the past eight years, Bargmann has operated a local cleaning business in partnership with his wife, his lawyer told the court.
The court heard several child abuse images, some of children as young as two-years-old, were allegedly found on a USB, which Bargmann admitted was his.
However, he is yet to enter a plea to the charge and as Magistrate Sharon Crews explained the investigation was still “in its early days”.
Bargmann’s criminal history was “short and limited”, with nothing for the past eight years and with no charges of that nature, his lawyer also told the court.
Ms Crews granted Bargmann’s lawyer an adjournment to liaise with family members to come up with a more detailed bail proposition that would “mitigate risk” to the community.
Ultimately, she granted bail on the provision he report twice a week to Nambucca Police Station and present himself to police at the front door of his residence and produce any phone (without internet access) in his possession for inspection up to two times per week.
Bargmann has been directed not to access the internet and not to loiter about any facility where children under the age of 16 frequent, including schools, public playgrounds, sporting grounds and swimming pools.
Bail surety of $1,000 has also been offered.
The case has been adjourned to May 29 at Macksville Local Court.
More Coverage
Originally published as Alex Bargmann faces child abuse material allegations in Kempsey court
Sick system: Life-or-death reality of vast city-country health divide
Driving 10 hours for an appointment that took six months to get, or a $700 telehealth consult? The waits, lack of doctors and mental health gaps expose a rural health system on life support.
Read more
Alleged “security” man in one-tonne coke bust tries for bail
A co-accused tasked with “security” duties in an alleged $600m cocaine delivery was caught on CCTV driving the vessel before the sting at sea and later found by police in a car loaded with jerry cans full of fuel.
Read more