Joshua Gary Jethro Carter charged with possessing drugs and utensils

A man police wanted to talk to about the disappearance of four children has been remanded in custody and his lawyer is not happy with a request police made in court.

A Mackay man police wanted to talk to about the disappearance of four children has been remanded in custody as police push to access his mobile phone.

But a lawyer for the 28 year old argued the application was “overkill”.

An Amber Alert was issued on Thursday, August 11 after children, aged eight to three, went missing from their home at The Leap.

Police at the home at The Leap where four children were taken and then returned. Picture: Janessa Ekert

The children were located safe and well the next day.

Joshua Gary Jethro Carter, 28, was arrested on Tuesday following the execution of a search warrant at a property at The Leap.

On Wednesday, he fronted Mackay Magistrates Court charged with possessing dangerous drugs, possessing drug utensils and other charges.

He has not been charged with any offence in relation to taking the children.

Geoff Govey, of Taylor’s Solicitors, told the court his client was on a return-to-prison warrant and as a result would be returning to a correctional centre on Thursday.

Joshua Carter is charged with possessing dangerous drugs and utensils.

Mr Govey said there was no application for bail because he was on a return-to-prison warrant.

The matter was stood down for about an hour so Mr Govey could speak with his client about the allegations and how the case would proceed.

When the matter resumed, police prosecutor Sergeant Linden Pollard handed up an application to access Mr Carter’s mobile phone.

Mr Govey questioned the application, telling the court, “I’m not sure why they want access to the device in the first place.”

“Have you read the grounds of the application?” Magistrate James Morton said.

“If it’s to inquire about the allegations contained in the QP9 … in my submission it’s a bit of overkill,” Mr Govey said.

The 28 year old is on a return to prison warrant.

“Particularly if (he) is ultimately going to plead to the charges.”

The court heard the content allegedly related to videos on the phone.

Mr Govey added “certainly not” on what was currently alleged.

Mr Morton granted the application to access Mr Carter’s phone.

Mr Gover asked for the case to be adjourned for one month so he could “liaise” with prosecution about the allegations.

Matters were adjourned to September 21. Mr Carter was remanded in custody.

Originally published as Joshua Gary Jethro Carter charged with possessing drugs and utensils