Court hears fresh charges expected to be laid on Daniel James Knuth after a 13 month delay in downloading phone evidence
The son of a North Queensland politician facing child abuse material charges has had a shocking turn in his case heard in court.
Townsville
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Fresh charges against a North Queensland MPs son already facing court on child abuse material matters are expected to be laid, a court has heard.
Daniel James Knuth has been in custody on remand for almost 14 months, and was set to be sentenced in Townsville District Court today.
But the matter was swiftly relisted as a mention, with his lawyer telling Judge Gregory Lynham police were in the process of laying fresh charges on her client.
“I requested this sentence be vacated (as the) Crown has advised … further charges are anticipated,” Ms Helen Armitage said.
Knuth, who is a reportable offender, and the son of Hill MP Shane Knuth, was arrested and charged in 2021 after police found child exploitation material on his phone during a routine compliance check on his devices.
Legal officer for the Director of Public Prosecutions Jack Toohey told the court that the pending charges stemmed from a search police conducted when arresting and charging Knuth over the first device.
“Evidence of child exploitation material was found and (the device) was seized,” Mr Toohey said.
The court heard there had been a 13 month delay in police downloading the device for examination.
Mr Toohey said he expected the charges to be finalised in four weeks, and that the charges would be sent ex-officio to a higher court after.
Judge Gregory Lynham noted the “concerning” amount of time Knuth had spent on remand – which was approaching 14 months.
Ms Armitage said they would have to wait an see what the charges were, but that their primary concern was delays in Knuth’s parole application if he was given a parole eligibility date.
The matter will return to court in late January.
Knuth was remanded in custody.
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Originally published as Court hears fresh charges expected to be laid on Daniel James Knuth after a 13 month delay in downloading phone evidence
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