Harry Milton Rawson hit with multiple child sex, grooming charges

A Maroochydore surveyors assistant has faced court after being charged with 35 child sex offences where he allegedly had sex with 14-year-old girl with an “intellectual disability”.

Maroochydore Police Station. (AAPImage/David Clark)

A Maroochydore man has been granted bail after facing court on multiple child sex offence charges allegedly committed against a 14-year-old girl with disabilities.

Harry Milton Rawson, 31, appeared via video link from the Maroochydore watch house at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with 35 offences involving the alleged victim.

The charges include engaging in penile intercourse with a child under 16, grooming a child under 16, and indecent treatment of a child under 16.

Senior Constable Tara Miles opposed bail, describing Rawson as an “unacceptable risk” to the community.

The court heard the victim has an “intellectual impairment” along with other disabilities, and alleged the offending took place over several months.

“He’s purposely gone out and sought a vulnerable victim,” Constable Miles said.

Maroochydore Court House. (AAP Image/David Clark)

The court heard police found photographs and messages on Rawson’s mobile phone as part of their investigation.

Defence lawyer Michael Robinson told the court Rawson worked as a surveyor’s assistant and was employed by an agency contracted to Main Roads.

He said Rawson and the alleged victim met on the chat room Y99, which he described as a general platform and not a “child specific website”.

“This is not a situation where as a predator my client has gone seeking children for the purpose sexual gratification,” Mr Robinson said

He told the court the alleged victim had presented herself as 18 years old and Rawson had questioned her age multiple times, with the victim reaffirming she was 18.

Mr Robinson also noted Rawson had made “full admissions” to police.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist granted bail with strict conditions, including that Rawson must not enter Tingalpa, where the alleged victim resides, and must not have any contact with her.

He is also subject to a curfew from 6pm to 5am.

Mr Stjernqvist described the allegations as “very serious offending.”

Rawson’s parents were present in court and waited for his release from the watch house.

The matter has been adjourned until March 17.

Originally published as Harry Milton Rawson hit with multiple child sex, grooming charges