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Police fine with bail for accused child sexual offender in Whitsundays

A man facing horror child abuse allegations has been granted a conditional release to a popular Queensland tourist spot after it was revealed there was no police objection to his bail.

He is charged with one count each of using the internet to procure children under 16, possessing child exploitation material, involving a child in making child exploitation material and indecent treatment of a child under 16 (expose).
He is charged with one count each of using the internet to procure children under 16, possessing child exploitation material, involving a child in making child exploitation material and indecent treatment of a child under 16 (expose).

A man on remand for horror child abuse allegations has been granted a conditional release to the Whitsundays after it was revealed in court there was no police objection to his bail.

The man, who has not been named in case it identifies the alleged victim, is not allowed to access any social media site and has to abstain from alcohol as part of his bail conditions.

He is facing four charges that involve alleged offending against a young girl.

Police allege the offending occurred between September 2022 and August 2023 in the Mackay region.

He is charged with one count each of using the internet to procure children under 16, possessing child exploitation material, involving a child in making child exploitation material and indecent treatment of a child under 16 (expose).

When his matters were listed for a bail application on Tuesday, Mackay Magistrates Court there was no formal police objection to the man’s bail.

To which Magistrate Damien said if there was no objection he would grant bail.

The man must abide by a number of strict conditions including residing at a specific address in the Whitsundays and reporting to police twice a week.

The court heard there were also no contact orders in place for his alleged victim and one of her family members.

The man is only allowed to have one electronic device — a mobile phone — of which he must give all details to police within 24 hour of obtaining the device.

He is prohibited from using the internet or any other communication device to access social networking sites.

The court heard further if required by an officer ranked as a sergeant or higher he must hand over the phone as well as any passwords or passcodes.

He must abstain from alcohol while on bail and he must attend a GP or mental health practitioner within 48 hours of being released to complete a mental health plan.

His matters have been committed to the district court but crown prosecution has not yet handed down a formal indictment.

Originally published as Police fine with bail for accused child sexual offender in Whitsundays

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/police-courts/police-fine-with-bail-for-accused-child-sexual-offender-in-whitsundays/news-story/ed8e3700b2130484707d425edbaad7a8