Two members of family accused of making child exploitation material at home front Toowoomba court

A man, his then de facto partner and her daughter are all accused of using another daughter to make child exploitation material in their home, with two of the group facing court on serious charges.

Two of three people accused of making and distributing child exploitation material made inside the family home near Toowoomba have had their matters mentioned in the city’s Magistrates Court.

The 34-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of using his then de facto wife and her two then teenage daughters to make child exploitation material, which was then allegedly distributed online.

Police claim the man had used the ruse that he was linked to the Australian Federal Police and that the agency wanted the child exploitation material, prompting his then de facto partner and her two daughters to participate.

The trio are accused of making and distributing child exploitation material from the family home.

It’s claimed the matters came to light when the woman went to police to file a domestic violence application against the man and during discussions the alleged child sex material came to light.

The man aged in his 30s, who has been held in custody since his arrest in August 2022, has not been required as yet to enter pleas to charges of false representation of a commonwealth public official, seven counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 (procure to commit), four of indecent treatment of a child under 16 (take photograph), nine of indecent treatment of children under 16, 20 of involving child in making child exploitation material, three of possessing child exploitation material, six counts of rape, nine of sexual assault, one each of torture, uttering insurance policy, possessing child exploitation material, and possession of weapons.

His solicitor Chelsea Saldumbide, of McConnell Saldumbide Lawyers, asked the court on Thursday for a one-month adjournment so her client’s matters could go up to the higher court by committal hearing.

Toowoomba Courthouse

Magistrate Clare Kelly therefore remanded the man in custody and adjourned his case for mention back in the same court on July 13.

The 20-year-old woman charged with four counts of distributing child exploitation material, four of indecent treatment of a child under 16 (take photograph etc), two of indecent treatment of a child under 16 (expose), and one of making child exploitation material, remains on bail with strict conditions and was not required in court on Thursday.

Her solicitor Sarah MacDonald, of MacDonald Law, told the court counsel had been briefed in the matter and asked for a two-week adjournment to take further instructions.

Ms Kelly therefore remanded that woman on bail and adjourned her matters to June 29.

The woman’s mother, who is similarly charged, remains remanded in custody as her matters make their way through the court system.