Christopher James McCann fronts court after procuring a child charge
A teen sex worker who allegedly procured underage girls for sex with a high-flying bank executive has put on a wild display outside court.
QLD News
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A Sydney bank executive, accused of using a teen sex worker to procure two underage girls for sex at a Brisbane hotel, has been granted bail.
Christopher James McCann, 50, will be released from custody to live with an old friend near Mudgeeraba following a successful bail application at Brisbane’s Arrest Court on Monday.
McCann was extradited to Queensland last week after New South Wales Police arrested him at Sydney Airport.
Police will allege McCann used Brisbane sex worker, Shauntelle Elizabeth Went, 18, to procure two underage girls – aged 14 to 15 – on his behalf while he was visiting the city from Sydney on May 15.
McCann is listed as the head of health and social infrastructure at Commonwealth Bank in Sydney.
At his bail application on Monday, the court heard that employment had now been terminated and his bank accounts had been frozen.
McCann sat in a sealed glass dock throughout the application with a solemn expression, dressed in green watchhouse clothing.
Magistrate Louise Shepherd said it was alleged McCann, who travelled frequently for work, had messaged Went asking if she had any “younger” friends she worked with.
It’s alleged the duo made an agreement on price for Went to procure two underage girls to meet McCann at the Sofitel Hotel.
Ms Shepherd said Went had allegedly waited in the lobby, while the girls went up to McCann’s room.
She said McCann had then contacted the front desk asking the girls to leave.
It is not alleged the girls actually went inside McCann’s room.
McCann’s barrister David Jones KC objected to “speculative” affidavits tendered by the prosecution, who had submitted McCann posed a risk of further offending and to community safety.
Mr Jones, instructed by Robertson O’Gorman Solicitors, labelled the affidavits – which included statements of a clinical psychologist and the arresting officer – as “fortune telling”.
He accused the prosecution of “flipping” his client’s circumstances against him – including his age, lack of criminal history, and his sobriety.
“Ordinarily for anybody else that would be a benefit, but for him that’s a disadvantage,” Mr Jones said.
“They have flipped everything and they have brought – I don’t know who’s left at the police station – everybody here to watch this bail application and one can only assume it’s because of who he is.”
The court heard McCann had a wife and two children back in Sydney.
Mr Jones said McCann would agree to “any” bail condition, and had an address available to him in Queensland with an old friend, who worked as a university professor.
Ms Shepherd said she would need to consider stricter conditions, however.
“It is a terribly serious allegation,” she said.
She said McCann had a prima facie right to bail, and the prosecution bore the onus of proving he posed an unacceptable risk.
Ms Shepherd noted if he were convicted of the offence, he would not necessarily serve any time in custody.
“The affidavit of the arresting officer clearly lacks objectivity … It is full of speculation,” she said.
However, she said there was some strength to the Crown case – which the court heard included messages between McCann and Went.
Ms Shepherd granted McCann bail under conditions including that he have no contact with children except for his sons, that he not travel interstate, comply with an evening curfew, and be restricted in his use of devices.
McCann and Went are both charged with using the internet to procure a child under 16.
Went was granted bail under conditions including that she have no contact with McCann, reside at an address in Brassall, and not use any encrypted devices on her phone.
Legal aid duty lawyer Lana Millar said Went was not an in-person sex worker, but generated her income through the digital platform OnlyFans.
Ms Millar said the charge was contested at this stage and that there would likely be some delay in the matter.
“You don’t need to convince me, “ Ms Shepherd replied.
“I’ll be granting bail.”
Ms Shepherd said Went’s charge was serious, but that it was clear there was a “disparity” in the dynamic between her and McCann.
“You are a vulnerable young 18-year-old woman who was working at the time as a sex worker from a traumatic background,” Ms Shepherd said.
Outside court Went went rogue, flipping the middle finger to the media pack after she was rushed away by a supporter.
McCann and Went’s matters were both adjourned for mention at Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 4.
Originally published as Christopher James McCann fronts court after procuring a child charge
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