Bail attempt falls flat
A WOREE man arrested as part of an ongoing police investigation into child exploitation has argued he should be granted bail because he was doing well with his previous bail reporting conditions on other similar charges.
Apollo John Daley, 37, represented himself in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Tuesday, applying for bail after being charged with 32 offences including supplying drugs to minors, unlawful wounding, and indecent treatment of children.
It was not without an attempt by Magistrate Joe Pinder to suggest to Mr Daley that he have the matter adjourned and he spend some time on remand while he sought legal representation.
Mr Daley, however, pressed on, wanting to, “have a crack at it myself”.
Mr Daley was the fifth man charged with child exploitation offences as part of Cairns Child Protection and Investigation Unit’s Operation Uniform Kalahari, established in January.
It is alleged young girls were groomed, indecently assaulted, and supplied with dangerous drugs including methylamphetamine and cannabis.
Mr Daley accepted that he was on bail for a series of offences allegedly committed in April, which included supplying dangerous drugs to a minor, the court heard.
When asked why he should be granted bail, Mr Daley told the court he had been doing all right with his reporting while on bail, and coming in to see police three times a week.
He also told the court he was attempting to get into a rehabilitation course.
“If I can get bail it’d be much appreciated,” he said.
Mr Pinder said he didn’t need to hear from police prosecutor Sophie Gorrick and he was not satisfied Mr Daley had shown cause and refused his application for bail.
Mr Daley was remanded in custody with his matters to next be mentioned on September 21.