Currumbin Waters man Alan Mann, 73, in Southport court on grooming charge

An elderly Gold Coast man arrested in a police sting after allegedly arranging to meet and access who he believed was a child for sex has faced court.

A 73-year-old Gold Coast man is accused of arranging to meet who he believed was a “child” for sex after his arrest in an undercover police sting.

Most of Alan Raymond Mann’s face was covered by a mask, sunglasses, and a hat as he left the Southport courthouse on Tuesday.

He is charged with grooming a parent of carer of a child under 16 years to facilitate the procurement of the child to engage in a sexual act.

Alan Mann leaving the Southport courthouse. Picture: Jessica Paul

The Currumbin Waters man was charged alongside John-Jon Pok, 25, and Michael Kitchen, 50, after an undercover police operation in November.

It is alleged the three men engaged with online profiles – manned by undercover Taskforce Argos detectives – arranging to meet and access who they believed was a child for sex.

They were allegedly nabbed by detectives at the arranged meeting points on November 20 and 21.

Bodyworn camera footage of their arrests shows one of the men was allegedly found with a packet of ‘Lifestyles’ condoms in his pocket.

Three Gold Coast men have been charged with grooming offences after an undercover police sting. Picture: QPS

All three men were granted police bail after being charged and have since faced Southport Magistrates Court.

Lawyer Joe Wicking, of Potts Lawyers, applied to have the conditions of Mr Mann’s bail varied during this week’s brief mention.

The conditions now include that Mr Mann must not knowingly have direct contact with a child under 16 unless it is with a person aged over 21 who is known to the child and aware of the charges or his bail.

Mr Mann is also banned from going to places designed specifically for children – such as schools, playgrounds, or play centres – and can only access the internet for essential purposes.

His case was adjourned to February 20.

Both Mr Kitchen and Mr Pok’s cases are listed for mention on Thursday.