Mundingburra man charged with grooming, unlawful sodomy and rape

A 36-year-old Townsville man facing horrific charges for crimes against children has made a bid for freedom. Here’s what happened.

The man is facing multiple charges. Generic picture.

A Townsville man facing 57 charges including rape, engaging in prostitution with a child or person with impairment of the mind, and deprivation of liberty has been refused bail.

The man, 36, of Mundingburra, appeared by video link, wearing a green tracksuit, in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday for a bail mention.

Magistrate Scott Luxton said the man had admitted to some of the charges, in a recorded conversation with a person in custody.

“He has been in custody for a period that exceeds two years,” Magistrate Luxton said.

However, the man’s “history is against him in terms of attempting to pervert the course of justice,” Magistrate Luxton said.

“In my view at this point (the man) represents an unacceptable risk to others and to interfering with witnesses,” he said.

The man faced a significant number of charges and if convicted would be sentenced to a lengthy and significant term of imprisonment, the Magistrate said.

The matter is expected to be called again on June 28 for the cross-examination of two witnesses.

His 57 charges include aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor under 16 years, rape, grooming a child under 16 years with intent to procure engagement in sexual act and indecent treatment of child under 16.

He also faces charges of taking a child for immoral purposes, unlawful sodomy - person under 18 years, deprivation of liberty, grooming, involving children in making child exploitation material, deprivation of liberty and carnal knowledge with or of children under 16.

A second man who is co-accused on two charges of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and taking a child for immoral purposes, was already on bail, Magistrate Luxton told the court.

The co-accused man’s lawyer said in court that he resided in Brisbane.

Originally published as Mundingburra man charged with grooming, unlawful sodomy and rape