A Canberra man has been extradited from Spain for sexual offenses against his stepdaughter. The court denied his transfer to a mental health facility, with prosecutors alleging he recorded over 20,000 images of the child using a hidden camera.
A Canberra man has been extradited from Spain for sexual offenses against his stepdaughter. The court denied his transfer to a mental health facility, with prosecutors alleging he recorded over 20,000 images of the child using a hidden camera.
A man aged 50, who evaded legal consequences for three years while hiding in Spain, is now facing serious charges in a Canberra prison. The ACT Magistrates Court has declined his request to be transferred to a mental health facility, prompting his remand into custody.
He is confronted with multiple allegations including incest, rape, and numerous acts of indecency, alongside accusations of possessing and controlling child exploitation material. Authorities reportedly unearthed 24,000 illicit images from a camera concealed within a smoke detector in the victim's room.
The timeline of these alleged crimes stretches from 2018 until 2021, culminating in a police report triggered by a complaint made against him. The very nature of the accusations has prompted serious concern for the victim's safety.
During the proceedings, Prosecutor David Swan presented chilling details to the court, indicating that the images allegedly depicted the child in compromising situations, as well as the man unlawfully entering her room through a window.
Further complicating matters, the man’s attorney, Amelie McCarthy, argued for his transfer to a mental health institution, citing his history of schizophrenia and reported hallucinations due to medication cessation. However, Prosecutor Swan raised valid objections, emphasizing the potential risks involved, including the likelihood of the man fleeing if placed in a more lenient environment.
Concerns regarding the safety of the victim and her family were also highlighted, leading Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker to take the atypical step of denying the request for a mental health transfer. In her statement, she underscored the significant risk of flight associated with the case, which ultimately influenced her decision.
No bail application was made, and the man has been remanded to remain in custody until his next court appearance next month.
The situation took a notable turn when the Canberra police became aware of the allegations in 2021, only to find that the man had already absconded to Spain. Last year, law enforcement assembled a comprehensive brief of evidence that initiated legal proceedings.
Assistance came from an Interpol Red Notice, which facilitated the man’s arrest by Spanish authorities in September of the previous year. It was only recently, after the man forfeited his legal options in Spain, that he was extradited back to Canberra.
His return was orchestrated with support from ACT police, involving a brief court appearance in Sydney prior to being transferred to Canberra. The investigation has benefitted from collaboration with the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department, as well as the expertise of the Australian Federal Police's International Network and Specialist Operations Command.
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