Matthew Ross Melville, 28, charged with 227 child exploitation offences in Toowoomba court

A young man alleged to have more than 200 images of child abuse imagery has been released back in the community while he awaits another court sentence.

Matthew Ross Melville, 28, charged with 227 child exploitation offences in Toowoomba Magistrate Court September 4, 2024.

A man who is alleged to have more than 200 pieces of child exploitation material has now been released to the community.

Matthew Ross Melville, 28, appealed for bail before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with 227 offences relating to child abuse and exploitation material.

Of the 227 charges, 226 related to computer generated images of child abuse where no human victims have been identified.

Police prosecutor Anita Page opposed the bail application, stating a concern for escalated offending.

“There were a number of different websites accessed and (police) are relating (their concern) to his need to access and whether he would stop that behaviour,” Ms Page said.

“(Police claim) it’s not far from becoming a reality.”

“(Melville) has made full admissions, the strength of the evidence is strong on that basis.”

Melville was not in a show cause position and only needed to prove bail conditions would adequately address any risk of reoffending.

Solicitor Phil Stainton, appearing as duty lawyer, argued Melville was not at risk of worsening his offending and countered a set of special conditions, including limiting access to electronic devices and mental health interventions.

“He acknowledges there is an issue and he’s willing to address that,” Mr Stainton said.

“(His parents) will be very stringently watching him as to what he’s doing.

“This police assertion that there is a risk of this behaviour somehow escalating out in the community – there’s no evidence to support that.”

Magistrate Kyna Morice took time to deliberate the application, but ultimately ruled bail would be granted.

“Despite the nature of the charges the law has to be applied,” she said.

“There are conditions that I can put in place that will adequately mitigate that risk.”

Ms Morice dictated Melville would need to report to police twice weekly, comply with a mental health assessment and treatment plan and cease use of any electronic device with the capacity to connect to the internet while on bail.

Melville stands charged with one count of possessing child exploitation material and 226 counts of using a carriage service to access child abuse material.

He is set to face a committal hearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on October 23, 2024.