NORLANE MAN ON CHILD SEX WORK CHARGES:

Teen girl given drugs, coaxed into prostitution, court told

A GEELONG man has faced court over claims he supplied an underage girl with drugs and persuaded her to be involved in prostitution.

Darren Mackay, 49, was arrested at his Norlane home on Wednesday after a lengthy investigation involving Victoria Police’s High Risk Youth Unit.

He appeared in custody at Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday after being charged with 31 offences including one count of inducing a child to take part in sex work.

Mr Mackay also faces three charges of supplying a drug of dependence to a child, and five counts of attempting to supply a drug of dependence to a child.

Senior Constable Anthony Lunt told the court that Mr Mackay became a person of interest two years ago after police received information that he had allegedly supplied drugs to a 15-year-old girl in exchange for sexual favours.

He said there were also claims that Mr Mackay had sexually exploited the girl while she was in a druginduced state, and that the accused man was implicit in running an unlicensed brothel using underage females.

It is alleged that in February this year, Mr Mackay arranged sexual activity between the girl, now 17, and an unknown friend.

The court heard claims Mr Mackay organised for the girl to send him photos to show the other male, before he responded: “Wow. F---. I’d even pay for that sexually beautiful girl.”

Sen-Constable Lunt said the Facebook conversations also showed the pair discussing pricing.

When police raided Mr Mackay’s home this week, it is alleged his bedroom was “filled” with drug paraphernalia, including an ice pipe and used syringes.

A laptop computer and phone were seized from the property.

Sen-Constable Lunt said analysis of the items was “likely” to result in further charges.

Mr Mackay was yesterday denied bail after pleading with a magistrate to release him so he could care for his ailing mother.

“I’m her 24-hour carer,” he said. “She can’t even make her own cup of tea any more.”

But Sen-Constable Lunt said police had been informed that the mother had another carer available.

He opposed bail due to the risk Mr Mackay posed in the community, particularly to the alleged victim, who he described as “extremely” vulnerable.

“It appears the accused is infatuated with the (girl),” Sen-Constable Lunt said.

Magistrate Peter Mellas said the case against Mr Mackay was relatively strong and he believed there were no bail conditions that could reduce his risk to an acceptable level.

Mr Mackay was remanded in custody until a committal mention to be held on September 4.