Rocky court: Man on child sex charges granted bail despite fresh counts

Days after appearing in court sporting a black eye and stitches, a battered man accused of child abuse and rape has returned on multiple new charges.

A man who fronted court on child abuse and rape charges has returned to face fresh allegations.

A Qld man on multiple child sexual abuse and rape charges, who faced a Magistrate sporting a black eye and multiple stitches this week, has returned to court.

The man, in his 70s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 18 with five fresh charges.

This is after he fronted court earlier in the week after breaching his bail conditions on the original 18 indecent treatment of children and three rape charges.

The court heard on that occasion that the man had gone to a property attempting to retrieve his belongings when one of the people there allegedly tried to stop him leaving and assaulted him.

The man pleaded guilty to the breach of bail but the charge was dismissed.

Police prosecutor Claudia Neill-Ballantine said on Friday the police objected to him being released on bail again due to concerns he would interfere with witnesses and concerns for his own safety.

She said the latest charges involved allegations of historical child sex abuse against a third complainant who was aged 11-15 at the time of the alleged incidents.

Ms Neill-Ballantine said it was also alleged the defendant had recently made comments consistent with suicide ideation, such as “I should be lined up against the wall and shot”.

He was originally charged with seven counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 lineal descendant/guardian/carer, four counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 lineal descendant/guardian/carer, three counts of rape, three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 lineal descendant/guardian/carer (expose), two of indecent treatment of a child under 12 lineal descendant/guardian/carer (procure to commit), indecent treatment of a child under 16 lineal descendant/guardian/carer (expose) and one of indecent treatment of a child under 12 lineal descendant/guardian/carer (take photographs).

These charges arise from allegations between 2016 and 2024, in two locations in the Townsville region and a Central Queensland location.

The man’s fresh charges are one count of indecent treatment of a girl under 14 and four of indecent treatment of a girl under 16, with all of these charges arising from allegations of offences that occurred in the Townsville region in the 80s.

Defence lawyer Oscar Millroy said his client had secured temporary accommodation and clothing.

He said the man had relinquished his rights to the car, which he had, at the beginning of the week, wanted to collect from a Central Queensland property as it was co-owned and the other owner needed it more than he did.

Magistrate Lance Rundle granted the man bail again.

All of his charges have been adjourned to August 27.

No pleas have been entered.

Originally published as Rocky court: Man on child sex charges granted bail despite fresh counts