Sex offender Emran Dad allegedly groomed teen online for months

A convicted child sex offender released from immigration detention under a High Court ruling groomed a 15-year-old girl online for months while he was still detained, police allege.

A bail application by Emran Dad has been refused in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Supplied

A convicted child sex offender groomed a teenage girl through social media for months while he was still in immigration detention, a court has heard.

Emran Dad, 33, who was released from indefinite detention following a High Court ruling last month, was refused bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday over allegations he breached his sex offender reporting obligations.

In opposing bail, Detective Senior Constable Daniel Jacobi said police were concerned Dad would reoffend if he were released, revealing he had been messaging a 15-year-old girl on TikTok since September while he was still in detention.

Sen Con Jacobi said Dad — who has numerous child sex offence convictions including inducing a child into sex work and sexual penetration of a child under 16 — was still chatting with the girl up until his arrest last week.

Emran Dad, who has numerous child sex offence convictions. Picture: Supplied

In the messages, Dad allegedly discussed going “live” with the girl — a feature that allows users to turn on their cameras and talk to each other.

Sen Con Jacobi said Dad had previously breached his reporting obligations and told police he thought it was legal to have sex with girls under 16 because that was the law in his home country of Afghanistan.

“He’s shown a complete disregard for court orders,” he said.

“Police have no confidence the accused would abide by any bail conditions.”

Photos were also allegedly found on Dad’s phone showing him seated on a couch and at a dining table with children and other adults.

Dad’s brother gave evidence in support of his release, saying he would stop working so he could “shadow” his sibling and ensure he did not reoffend.

Police opposed Dad’s bail. Picture: Supplied

But Magistrate Tony Burns said he could not grant bail due to Dad’s “concerning” prior convictions and recent alleged contact with minors, noting the messages with the teenager girl were “clearly sexually oriented” and “borderline grooming”.

Dad is facing 13 charges of failing to comply with his sex offender reporting obligations over allegations he contacted a minor on TikTok and created an Instagram, Bigo and email account without informing police.

He is also facing a trespass charge.

Dad had been in indefinite immigration detention since 2018 until he and 147 other detainees were released last month after the High Court ruled the practice was unlawful.

Wearing a green prison-issued T-shirt and grey tracksuit pants, Dad sat quietly in the dock during the hearing.

He was remanded in custody to reappear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on January 15.