A COROWA man accused of sending child abuse material online without realising the recipients were NSW detectives posing as a 14-year-old has been warned to keep his nose clean.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"It's an extremely serious matter before the court," magistrate Richard Funston told Phillip William Alexander on Tuesday.
"You cannot commit any offences whilst you're on bail."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Police have alleged that Alexander took place in sexually explicit conversations while online as well as sending "indecent material".
Casually dressed in jeans, an untucked white, long-sleeved dress shirt covered in blue motifs and brown leather shoes, the 43-year-old made only one comment during his brief appearance in Albury Local Court.
Initially, Mr Funston was concerned that Alexander, who he understood was in the court precinct, might have left the building without stepping into court.
But moments later, a court officer ushered Alexander through the door.
He did not enter pleas to charges of using a carriage service to send indecent material to a person less than 16 years of age and to using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material.
The offending is alleged to have occurred in Corowa between 8am on March 10 and 11.59pm on March 19.
The indecent material charge further alleges this was sent to the 14-year-old "fictitious recipient".
Defence lawyer Dominic Holles, appearing amicus for Alexander, said the case was a matter that "ultimately" would be prosecuted by the Commonwealth.
"I seek an eight-week adjournment for the brief (of evidence)," he said.
Mr Holles said Alexander had lodged an application to be represented by Legal Aid NSW and asked that the brief be served on his office.
"I anticipate that Mr Alexander's application for Legal Aid (representation) will be successful," he said.
Alexander was asked by Mr Funston to confirm he had lodged this application.
"Yes, I'm just waiting on a bank statement," he replied.
The charges stemmed from an investigation by Strike Force Trawler detectives, who arrested Alexander at his home on Tuesday about 8.15am. They also seized mobile phones.
Police said the detectives, from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit, began "engaging online" with Alexander in March.
The case was adjourned to June 30.
