Joshua Marozzi applies for bail after allegedly possessing child exploitation material

A painter who claimed he went to police to get an underage girl to stop contacting him was arrested after they allegedly found disturbing photos and videos on his mobile.

Joshua Marozzi applies for bail after allegedly possessing child exploitation material.

A man who is alleged to have been found with photos and videos of him having sex with an underage girl on his phone after he went to police himself, has applied for bail.

Joshua Marozzi appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday morning via video link as he recently went to police to ask for help in getting the 16-year-old girl to stop contacting him.

Mr Marozzi has been charged with 40 offences which include possessing child exploitation material, using a carriage service to transmit or publish child exploitation material, aggravated supply of drugs to a minor, possessing drugs and possessing tainted property.

No pleas have been entered.

Commonwealth prosecutor Sam Lanskey opposed the bail application on the basis that the 35-year-old was “too high” of a risk of interfering with the alleged child victim or witnesses, and a high risk of reoffending.

“A forensic examination of the phone revealed photos and videos of the child who is currently 16 and them engaged in consensual sexual intercourse,” he said.

“She told police she had been talking to him since she was 14 and sent photos of herself without clothes on to which he encouraged her to do.”

He said a temporary protection order was placed to prevent the painter from contacting the child but it didn’t stop him.

The court was also told Mr Marozzi had a history of domestic violence offending, weapons charges and failing to appear in court charges.

Police prosecutor Ash Raj also objected to the bail and said authorities were concerned if released he could “influence” the victim.

“He was trying to rekindle his relationship,” Mr Raj said.

“If he’s allowed that contact he’s going to influence the victim one way or another and bail should be refused.”

Defence lawyer Jackson Young from Legal Aid Queensland said his client had a “significant wake up call” after spending one night in the watch house.

He also said the charges were contested.

Mr Young told the court that Mr Marozzi sought assistance from police to “help end contact” from the young girl towards him, despite him making a number of attempts to cease communication with her.

“He gave (police) access to his phone and after leaving and coming back to regather his phone, was when he was arrested,” the lawyer said.

“It shows cooperation and can give Your Honour confidence he will attend court and see it through as required.”

Acting magistrate Raimund Heggie agreed that his “willingness” to help police showed that conditions could be placed on his bail to reduce the risk of him reoffending.

His Honour granted the man bail under the conditions he report to Kirwan Police Station, he must not contact the alleged victim, or have any contact with a minor unless supervised by an adult who is aware of the charges and is banned from using social media.

Originally published as Joshua Marozzi applies for bail after allegedly possessing child exploitation material