Steven Stewart Scott Stephens accused of having sex with child under 16, distributing child exploitation material

A 41-year-old Toowoomba man charged with child sex matters has made his first appearance in court. See what happened here.

A 41-year-old Toowoomba man charged with having sex with a child under 16 and distributing child exploitation material has made his first appearance before court.

Steven Stewart Scott Stephens made his first appearance before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday, October 9, 2023.

He stood quietly beside his solicitor Matthew Harradine, of Edgar Wood Solicitors of Dalby, who told the court he had received the police prepared QP9s (with charge list) and would be seeking a full brief of evidence from police.

Steven Stewart Scott Stephens (left) outside Toowoomba Courthouse on October 9, 2023.

Mr Stephens was not required to enter any pleas to the charges which included distributing child exploitation material, two counts of engaging in penile intercourse with child under 16, two of indecent treatment of child under 16 (expose), and one each of indecent treatment of child under 16 (indecent film etc), and using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age to engage in, or submit to, sexual activity with the sender, as the charges read on the court list.

No particulars of the allegations were aired in court.

Magistrate Louise Shephard noted the charges arose from alleged events in the Lockyer Valley area and so she would transfer the case to the Ipswich Magistrates Court as that court had jurisdiction over Lockyer Valley matters.

Ms Shephard remanded Mr Stephens on bail and adjourned his matters for committal mention in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday, November 24.