Accused online predator makes bid for freedom

The 31 year old was already on bail for child grooming offences when he allegedly sent explicit messages and tried to meet a child this month.

AN ALLEGED internet predator accused of trying to hook up with underage children while already on bail for child grooming offences has made a second bail bid.

Joel Douglas Jorgensen allegedly used social media app Snap Chat to send explicit messages with two children over three days this month.

Prosecutor Chelsea Pearson said the 31 year old was also accused of trying to travel from Mackay to Proserpine to meet up with one of the children.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Mr Jorgensen was already on bail for child sex offences - in September this year he fronted court over alleged child grooming between July and August 2014.

 

(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 1, 2019 in Lille shows the logos of mobile apps Facebook and Google displayed on a tablet. - Facebook on October 3, 2019 launched Threads, an image-centric messaging app designed to weave tight circles of Instagram friends together, while ramping up its challenge to rival Snapchat. Threads is its own separate smartphone app, but ties into lists of "close friends" that Instagram began letting users create late last year, according to director of product Robby Stein. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP)

Magistrate Mark Nolan deemed Mr Jorgensen too great a risk and rejected bail.

The Mackay-born blaster painter is now facing seven offences including indecent treatment of children, using the internet to procure children under 16 and intentionally meet or go to meet a child between October 15 and 18 this year.

He is also accused of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16 in August 2014 and burglary in September this year.

Ms Pearson argued Mr Jorgensen had not proven why being remanded in custody was unjustified "given that he was on bail for serious sexual offences when it's alleged he'd committed further sexual offences against children".

In seeking his client's bail release, Taylors Solicitors defence lawyer Geoff Govey said Mr Jorgensen was working, had a stable home and "can report to the police station".

"He is keen to do rehabilitation … he had had a drug habit for a period of time since 2006 he tells me," Mr Govey said, adding that before September this year his client had not used drugs for three years.

"His history shows nothing since 2016."

But Mr Nolan found there was an unacceptable risk that "if released on bail you would commit further offences and potentially endanger the lives of the victims or other persons".

Bail was denied and the case was adjourned to December.

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