Second alleged predator Michael Wilson led club that worked with scouts

A man charged with child rape, bestiality and other horror offences was president of a club that worked closely with scouts.

Michael Simon Wilson has been charged with raping a teenage boy.

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The second man charged by police investigating alleged pedophile Joshua Brown was the president of an amateur radio club that worked with a scout troop in Melbourne’s west.

Michael Simon Wilson, 36, has been charged with a range of sexual offences, including rape, in relation to the alleged assault of a teenager in Hoppers Crossing, 24km southwest of the CBD.

The Magistrates Court on Wednesday confirmed that the charges included child abuse mat­erial, sex offences and bestiality.

It’s believed the Hoppers Crossing man was known to alleged pedophile childcare worker Joshua Brown, who police charged with more than 70 child sex offences related to his time working at multiple centres across Melbourne.

Joshua Brown and Michael Wilson were known to each other and will face court on the same day. Picture Supplied.

Reports have since emerged that it was the investigation of Mr Wilson’s alleged rape of the teenager that led police to Mr Brown.

Mr Wilson was arrested on April 16, while Mr Brown was taken into custody on May 15.

Until recently, Mr Wilson was the president of Wyndham Amateur Radio Club, which operated out of a scout hall and worked with children in the troop on multiple occasions.

Club member Robert Buchan­an confirmed the club worked directly with children from the scout troop on radio-based activities on certain occasions, and had “done so for some years”.

“As far as I know, Michael has never been left alone with the kids,” Mr Buchanan said. “It’s sort of a policy that we always have two-three members with the kids at all times … not an official policy, just something we try to do”.

Asked whether Mr Wilson had a working with children check, Mr Buchanan said “I assume he would have because it’s a club policy. None of us was aware of any child abuse in the club.”

It comes after Mr Wilson’s former neighbour claimed she heard a violent outburst at the property after his partner left him a few years ago. “When she left, he was in there smashing things up and you could hear it,” she said.

“That was the night he was taken away by an ambulance … we didn’t see him after that.”

The neighbour said Mr Wilson had a child, a young girl, who lives with her mother.

Asked for comment on the charges, a man identified by neighbours as Mr Wilson’s relative said: “He hasn’t lived here in 15 years. This is not his f..king house, it’s mine … He lives in ­Hoppers.”

Mr Wilson’s parents’ neighbour told The Australian he was once a frequent visitor to his parents’ property but “hasn’t been there in some time. I’ve heard abuse in there sometimes and we’ve had the police in there on several occasions.”

Both Mr Brown and Mr Wilson are set to face court on September 15.

Neighbours say Mr Wilson could be heard smashing things when his partner left him. Picture: Facebook

It comes as pressure mounts on state and federal leaders to explain how Mr Brown – who held a valid working with children check – was able to slip through the system and work across 20 childcare centres in Victoria.

Mr Brown’s charges relate to alleged sex crimes against eight children aged between five months and two years of age.

One charge – recklessly contaminate goods to cause alarm or anxiety – relates to allegations Mr Brown placed bodily fluids in food.

The alleged offending occurred over multiple years, with the parents of 1200 children now being urged to test for sexually transmitted infections amid fears of exposure. However, it’s possible the number could change as the police investigation continues, with Victoria Police on Thursday not ruling out the potential for updated information about Mr Brown’s employment history.

“As part of the ongoing investigation, information has been compiled from a number of sources and records in relation to Brown’s employment history,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

“That information including dates and locations was released on Tuesday, based on what was known at that point in time. The investigation remains ongoing and any updates to the current information will be released accordingly via the website.”

As part of the government’s continuing response to the crisis, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Wednesday announced that all affected families would be eligible for a $5000 immediate-needs payment.

Melbourne alleged sex abuser Joshua Brown. Picture Supplied

Ms Allan also announced a fast-tracked ban on the use of personal devices in childcare centres and commissioned an urgent snap review into safety in the Victorian sector, amid calls for systemic reform.

In a statement released the following day, Ms Allan clarified the review would be led by public service veteran Pamela White and former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill.

Ms Allan lauded Ms White’s extensive experience across “child protection, disability, housing, youth justice, emergency management and education”.

“She received the Public Service Medal in 2012 for her service to disadvantaged communities and now chairs the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and serves on the CFA Board,” she said.

Ms Allan also recognised Mr Weatherill “for his leadership in early childhood and tertiary education”.

A Victorian register of childcare workers will also be established, while centres that failed to comply with the personal devices ban – which will come into effect on September 26 – would face fines of up to $50,000.

“Childcare is regulated under a national framework, and I ­appreciate the substantial work is already under way by the commonwealth and state and territory governments to strengthen safety in the sector,” Ms Allan said.