Sylvania Hotel: Albert Barkho allegedly found naked with young girl
A Craigieburn father who allegedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl at a Campbellfield hotel has been released on bail.
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A Craigieburn father who allegedly took a 13-year-old girl to a Campbellfield hotel room and had sex with her has been released on bail.
Albert Barkho, 53, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 22, facing multiple charges including sexual activity with a child aged under 16.
Barkho was allegedly found naked in a room at Sylvania Hotel with the 13-year-old girl when police arrived about 9am on November 23.
The girl allegedly told police Barkho had sex with her at the hotel, as well as the day before in his vehicle.
Barkho allegedly booked and paid for an Uber to take the girl to a train station, where he picked her up in his car.
He then allegedly took her to his Craigieburn home about 5pm, before the pair checked into the hotel just before 10.30pm.
It is alleged they stayed there until police arrived about 9am.
The court heard the girl appeared to be drug-affected when police arrived, and ice and alcohol were allegedly found in the hotel room.
The court heard Barkho was a father of two, and had been in custody since being found at the hotel.
When he was arrested Barkho told police no sexual activity had occurred and said he always slept naked.
His lawyer argued there was little evidence about what happened in the hotel room, calling the police case weak, and said his client could spend too long in custody waiting for the charges to resolve.
It was heard the girl had not yet provided a formal statement to police.
Magistrate Tara Hartnett disagreed the police case for the “significant and concerning” allegations was weak, but said there were exceptional circumstances for why Barkho should be bailed, particularly the issue of delay.
He was released on strict conditions, including the supervision of the Court Integrated Services Program.
Barkho will return to court on March 11.
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