Child sex offender off radar

A MAN with a history of sexual offences against children was effectively off the radar for about two months when he became homeless.

The 40-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the privacy of his victims, allegedly failed to report his location to authorities as required by his parole under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Prohibition Order) Act.

The Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard yesterday that the man’s former partner kicked him out of her home in January, when their volatile relationship ended.

“Police tried to locate him for quite some time,” prosecutor Leea Trewin said.

He was arrested in Brisbane on Friday and moved to Toowoomba to face eight charges including contravention of domestic violence order and a probation order, three counts of failing to report, domestic violence offences of fraud and stealing, two counts of giving false information.

Snr Const Trewin alleged the man twice used an alias unknown to the authorities when applying for rental properties.

She added that Office of Probation and Parole made several attempts to phone, message and post letters to the man, none of which made contact.

Acting for the man’s defence, solicitor Joe Millican said his client was illiterate and could not respond to written correspondence.

He added that the alais was in fact his birth name, listed on several documents, including his Medicare account.

Still Magistrate Graham Lee said the man was an unacceptable risk of reoffending, so he denied bail until his next appearance on July 24.