Man, 50, charges with horror drug and sexual abuse offences involving children in Mackay

A Queensland man who police allege groomed, sexually abused and gave drugs to children, faces multiple “very serious” charges. DETAILS.

A 50 year old man is facing 17 offenses alleged committed in the Mackay region including multiple counts of rape, indeceptn treatment and the aggravated supply of drugs to minors.

An accused rapist and child groomer facing drug and sex abuse charges wanted to apply for bail, but a Magistrate said he wasn’t prepared to take the application until the man had spoken to a lawyer.

The 50-year-old has fronted Mackay Magistrates Court twice this week, as further charges are added to the list.

Police allege the man committed offences within the Mackay region over about six months.

When the case was first mentioned in court on Wednesday the man was facing 13 charges.

These included two counts each of grooming child under 16 years or parents of carer of child under 16 years – facilitate procurement of child to engage in sexual act and using internet to procure children under 16, and one count of using a carriage service to “groom” another person to make it easier to procure person under 16 years of age.

He was also charged with four counts of aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor under 16 years, two counts each of aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor 16 years or more and one count each of possessing used drug utensils and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

The case was briefly mentioned before Magistrate Damien Dwyer requested to speak with both the prosecutor and duty lawyer privately and ultimately it was adjourned to Friday.

Then, on Friday, the man was further charged with three counts of rape and one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16 (procure to commit).

Police allege the charges stem from offences between October 2024 and January 2024, with one allegedly spanning from June 2024 to January 2024.

The court heard the man was charged this week and because of the rape offences, which were the most serious of all the charges, he faced a maximum penalty of life in jail if convicted.

Attempting to represent himself in court, the man said he wanted to make a bail application.

However, Mr Dwyer said the charges were “very serious matters” and told the court he was not prepared to take a bail application until the man had spoken to a lawyer.

The case was adjourned to a later date.

*This publication has not named the man at this point as it is not yet known if that will identify a victim whose identity is protected by law.

Originally published as Man, 50, charges with horror drug and sexual abuse offences involving children in Mackay