Aaron Scott Hearn denies charges of indecent treatment of child under 16, indecent act in public

The 35-year-old denied indecently treating a child under 16 and other allegations when he appeared in Toowoomba court.

A 35-year-old Toowoomba man charged with indecent treatment of a child under 16 has been remanded in custody.

When Aaron Scott Hearn first appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday he had refused legal advice and represented himself.

He appeared via video link from the watch house but walked out during the mention of his matters on Tuesday.

However, after spending another night in custody, he agreed to have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service solicitor Michael McElhinney represent him.

Mr McElhinney sought bail on Mr Hearn’s behalf who, from the watch house, implored Magistrate Kay Ryan to grant him bail.

“Can I sign in three times a week, please Miss?” he said.

“You can just be quiet,” Ms Ryan replied.

Toowoomba Courthouse in Hume St, Toowoomba City.

Mr Hearn was not required to enter any pleas to the charges which included indecent treatment of a child under 16, masturbating in public and public nuisance.

Mr McElhinney said his client denied the charges, one of which had to go up to the District Court and would take some time.

It was conceded Mr Hearn did not have a bail address, he said.

Police prosecutor Natalie Bugden said police objected to bail.

Sergeant Bugden argued Mr Hearn was a risk of failing to appear in court, particularly when he was homeless and he was already on a suspended sentence for breaching bail offences and on bail for an assault occasioning bodily harm charge in Brisbane.

Ms Ryan noted Mr Hearn had “numerous” suspended sentences in the past and he had spent time in custody.

Bail was refused and Mr Hearn remanded in custody with all charges adjourned for committal mention back in the same court in February.