Ex-scout leader faces court on indecent treatment charges

A former scout group leader on indecent treatment charges has made his first appearance in a Sunshine Coast court.

A former scouts leader accused of peeping into bathrooms, stealing underwear and indecently treating children has faced court for the first time.

It was only last month disturbing vision was released by police of the man’s alleged possession of children’s underwear in a toy backpack during his arrest by the Sunshine Coast Child Protection Investigation Unit.

The 21-year-old faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court for the first time on Monday for 29 charges which included 17 counts of enter dwelling and commit, six counts of indecent treatment of children under 16 (carer), five counts of unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassing or abuse and one count of observations in breach of privacy.

The court heard one of the indecent treatment charges was a fresh offence following his arrest.

In a statement, police alleged the man used his position as a volunteer group leader to gain access to children, and commit offences against them.

It’s alleged by police the 21-year-old South Caboolture man looked into bathrooms occupied by children during an event at a Landsborough campground in December 2024.

Vision of a search warrant at the man’s home was released by police. Picture: QPSA

An investigation revealed he had allegedly peeked into bathrooms at the same campground several times since 2022, and entered tents to steal children’s underwear throughout 2023 to 2024.

The former scouts section leader had his home raided on May 5, which led to police allegedly seizing electronic devices for forensic examination and multiple pairs of children’s underwear.

A 22-year-old Caboolture South man has faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 16, 2025. Picture: Patrick Woods

Footage released by police showed the man’s alleged stash was kept in a panda plush backpack.

He was charged and released on bail before his first court appearance on Monday where duty solicitor Michael Robinson asked for an adjournment and for a brief of evidence to be delivered.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis granted this adjournment, with the man’s matters returning to court on July 21.

Ms Ellis read out the bail conditions he must abide by which included reporting to Caboolture police once a week, no contact with several individuals and no unsupervised contact of children under the age of 16.

Scouts Queensland released a statement at the time the allegations against the man came to light that stated the organisation was aware of a former male scout section leader of the Landsborough Scouts Group who was arrested and charged with sexual and property-related offences.

Scouts Queensland received a child safety report in December last year, which was handed to police, and which led the leader’s membership to be terminated the same day.

“Scouts Queensland is actively assisting the Queensland Police Service with its investigation and will continue to provide all assistance possible,” the statement read.

“Direct support and counselling to current and former youth and adult members is being provided.”

Scouts Queensland labelled itself a “child-safe organisation” which treated all matters regarding child safety “very seriously”.

Originally published as Ex-scout leader faces court on indecent treatment charges