Chester Hill tegistered child sex offender Maloni Saravu Tikolevu accused of possessing child abuse material
A western Sydney man who was convicted of possessing child abuse material has landed before the courts again after police allegedly uncovered an image saved to a Google Drive.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Chester Hill man who was convicted of possessing child abuse material has landed before the courts again after police allegedly uncovered an image saved to a Google Drive.
Maloni Saravu Tikolevu faced Bankstown Local Court on Thursday, charged with one count of possessing or controlling child abuse data using a carriage service.
He is yet to enter a plea on his charge.
On Thursday, the 31-year-old made an application for bail.
It is alleged on March 27, Tikolevu created an image considered to be child abuse material and saved it to a Google Drive.
Police prosecutor acting sergeant Wade, on behalf of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution, told the court the alleged offending came five years after Tikolevu was first convicted in 2019 for possessing child abuse material.
He is registered under the Child Protection Register.
The court was told on August 14, as part of reporting obligations under the Child Protection Register, Tikolevu attended Bankstown Police Station where he was reminded of his obligations including not to produce or possess child abuse material.
Tikolevu’s Legal Aid solicitor Ashley Chan told the court that should bail be granted, his client would not have access to his mobile phone because it was in police custody and strict bail conditions prohibiting him from obtaining other mobile devices could be enforced.
Mr Chan said his client, who is unemployed, was undergoing counselling with a Newcastle-based church group and was seeking to relocate there for rehabilitation.
Under the Crimes Act 1914, the court must deny bail for people charged with certain Commonwealth child sex offences – including possession of child abuse material – unless special circumstances exist to grant bail.
“The exploitation of children, simply put, is about supply and demand,” Acting Sgt Wade said.
“The seeking out and wanting of these horrible images are what props up an industry that abuses children.
“That he (allegedly) breaches the trust of the community in (allegedly) possessing child abuse material, the court could not find confidence he would not commit further offences.”
Magistrate Glenn Walsh noted while Tikolevu had a limited criminal history, it was a history of similar offending.
“It is a very strong prosecution case,” Mr Walsh said.
“And if convicted, is likely to receive full time custodial sentence.”
He denied bail, stating he was not satisfied special circumstances existed in Tikolevu’s case.
He was remanded behind bars to appear via video link at the Downing Centre on Tuesday.
More Coverage
Originally published as Chester Hill tegistered child sex offender Maloni Saravu Tikolevu accused of possessing child abuse material
‘Not correct at all’: Price hits back at critics
Outspoken Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has hit back after being criticised for defecting from the Nationals to the Liberals.
Shots fired at home in Western Sydney
A Western Sydney home has been sprayed with bullets for the second time in four years, with up to 30 rounds fired at the Mount Druitt property while 11 people — including six children — were sleeping inside.