Blake John Horne faces indecent treatment of child charges

A man caught driving with a dangerous weapon in his car told police it was a gift from his aunt. DETAILS

Blake John Horne, 27, remains on bail charged with a number of serious offences including engaging in penile intercourse with a child under 16 and indecent filming of a child.

A 27-year-old Bundaberg man who was initially pulled over by police for running a stop sign, appeared before Bundaberg Magistrates Court this morning where the full extent of the charges against him was revealed.

Blake John Horne faces a number of charges including aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor under 16, two counts of penile intercourse with a child under 16, one count of indecent treatment of a child (indecent film), one count of indecent treatment of a child (procure to commit), and two counts of indecent treatment of children under 16, possessing child exploitation material and unlawful possession of a category M weapon, and one count of an offence of driving while relevant drug present in saliva or blood.

Today, he pleaded guilty to the weapons and drug offences.

The court heard Horne, was pulled over by police on November 28, 2024, after he failed to stop at a stop sign.

A saliva test performed by police confirmed the 27-year-old had cannabis in his system.

Horne told police he was a participant in a medical cannabis program and had smoked the afternoon prior to being pulled.

He said he had not expected it to still be in his system.

Blake John Horne faced Bundaberg Magistrates court on Monday, charged with a number of serious offences.

Magistrate Rowan said “it affects everyone differently”, but whether prescribed or not, driving was not permitted under the influence of drugs.

Police also searched Horne’s hilux ute and found a set of knuckle dusters which Horne said were a gift from his aunt and held sentimental value.

In handing down her sentence on the two charges, Magistrate Rowan commended the Bundaberg man’s efforts to rehabilitate himself after facing similar drug-related charges in 2023.

A letter from the rehabilitation program was presented to the court which Ms Rowan said weighed heavily in his favour.

The 27-year-old Bundaberg man was fined $400 for the driving offence and his licence has been suspended for three months.

He was fined a further $200 for the set of knuckle dusters which Ms Rowan said he would not be getting back.

The other remaining matters have been adjourned to July 21 2025.

Originally published as Blake John Horne faces indecent treatment of child charges