An Albury man who allegedly continued to access child pornography despite being issued with a search warrant has appeared before court.
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Edwin George Mayne has been charged with 17 counts of using a carriage service for child pornography and three counts of possess child abuse material.
It’s alleged he first accessed a carriage service at his Wantigong Street home in October 2015, and then on a further 10 occasions in November 2015.
Two of the possession of material charges are alleged to have taken place in 2015, and the final between October 8 and the day he was arrested.
Combined, the charges relate to 121 pornographic images and 10 videos.
Mayne was arrested by Albury police, who had worked with American police on the case, on Tuesday and he was remanded in custody overnight.
The 58-year-old kept his head down in the dock as defence solicitor Camille McKay applied for bail on Wednesday, stating he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder.
“He is someone who is more vulnerable in custody,” she said.
“He is on a Centrelink disability pension … he has been residing at that address for eighteen months.
“It is a private rental and he has concerns about losing that property.
“He has two dogs which reside with him and he has concerns in relation to their welfare, if he is to stay in custody.”
Police prosecutor Shannon Lewis objected to bail and said police had been “looking at him” and he continued to access the pornographic material.
“The nature and number of offences are lengthy …. the Commonwealth offences attract a sentence of 15 years and the state offences carry a sentence of 10,” she said.
“Police conducted a search warrant in 2016 and there has been a lengthy investigation.
“Protection of the community should be paramount.
“He presents too much of a risk to the community.”
Sergeant Lewis said following a stay at Nolan House, doctors had declared Mayne fit to be interviewed.
“We hold concerns for his safety as well, if he is released into the community,” she said.
Mayne was refused bail, with a condition applied that he receive a mental health assessment.
The case will return to Albury Court on Monday.
