Child sex offender on fresh charges

A CONVICTED child sex offender has been charged for allegedly having secret contact with five Townsville children.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has a long record of child sex offending and is classified as a reportable offender under the Child Protection Offender Reporting Act.

Townsville Child Protection Investigation Unit officerin- charge Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said the man had a history of offences against children dating back 10 years.

“This is an individual who we know and who has admitted that he has an ongoing attraction to young children,” Sen- Sgt Miles said.

“His offences include contact offences and offences involving possessing child exploitation material.

“He intentionally integrates himself into families such as low socio- economic families and single mothers with children to offer assistance and respite for the sole purpose of gaining access to children.”

The man has a number of conditions against him, including that he must report any contact with children to police.

He was arrested and charged with failing to comply with his conditions on Friday after police discovered he had been having contact with five children.

“From our perspective, this individual represents a real risk to the community and it’s important that where there is a blatant disregard for the conditions imposed upon him that we do all that we can to protect the community from his behaviour,” Sen- Sgt Miles said.

The man was caught by police at a house in Kirwan where three children were residing. Sen- Sgt Miles said the charges relate to these children and two from a different location.

The man appeared before Townsville Magistrates Court on Saturday where police opposed bail. He was remanded to reappear today.