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Mackay police officer Mark Andrew Lewer is facing child exploitation and abuse material charges

The case for a former respected high ranking Queensland police officer has been hit with a lengthy delay. LATEST

Queensland police generic
Queensland police generic

The case for a former respected high ranking Mackay police officer has been hit with a lengthy delay.

Mark Andrew Lewer, who has held ranks including Senior Constable, Sergeant and Senior Sergeant, is facing three counts of using a carriage service to access child exploitation material and one count of possessing child exploitation material.

It is alleged the offending occurred between December 2021 and March 2024 at East Mackay.

Taskforce Argos detectives arrested the 50 year old on March 4, 2024 after uncovering the shocking allegations involving AI images and text-based child abuse material.

Lewer, who lived and worked as a police officer for a number of years including when he was charged, faces a maximum of 15 years jail if convicted.

Because of the nature of the charges, the matter must be finalised in the district court.

He is no longer employed with the Queensland Police Service. He was suspended from the QPS following the charges and subsequently resigned.

The case had been listed for a date in June but was brought on early so prosecution could request an extension of time regarding the brief of evidence.

This was granted and the case is now listed for a date in early December.

Originally published as Mackay police officer Mark Andrew Lewer is facing child exploitation and abuse material charges

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/police-courts/mackay-police-officer-mark-andrew-lewer-is-facing-child-exploitation-and-abuse-material-charges/news-story/274762fa0bc5c119413e10383ea5b82d