Man living nomadic lifestyle granted bail for historical child sex offences

A man charged with 18 alleged historical sexual assault offences in Brisbane has been granted bail and ordered to wear an ankle monitor, despite police concerns.

Detectives allege the 46-year-old Warwick man committed offences against a teenage girl, who was known to him, in Brisbane between 2013 and 2018.

During the bail hearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday, police prosecutor Anita Paige objected to bail because the man had no fixed address and lived in a caravan in regional Queensland.

Police arrested the man at a campsite in Taroom, on Queensland's Western Downs, on October 10.

He is charged with 18 offences, including nine counts of indecent treatment of children under 16, seven counts of rape and one count each of grooming a child under 16 years with intent to procure engagement in a sexual act with a child under 12 years, and sexual assaults.

The man's solicitor, Kate McIntyre, said her client intended to defend all charges against him and was willing to comply with any bail conditions imposed by the court, including surrendering his passport.

Strict bail conditions 

Magistrate Veena Goverdhan granted bail on the condition the man lived at a Heritage Park address, did not leave Queensland, reported twice a week to police and wore an electronic monitoring device.

He is also not allowed to have any contact with children under the age of 16 or visit any parks or schools while on bail.

The court was told the man had sold his house in Crestmead at the start of the year and purchased two caravans to travel Australia.

Ms Paige said the man's travel plans came after he heard about the investigation in February.

Police had attempted to issue an extradition warrant, fearing he would flee to New South Wales.

However, Ms McIntyre told the court allegations that her client fled were "entirely unfounded" and not what "spurred" the travel.

The matter was adjourned to Brisbane Magistrates Court for further mention on December 7.

Investigations continue

Boondall Child Protection Investigation Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Derek Harris commended the bravery of the alleged victim-survivor in a police press release.

"We acknowledge the immense courage it takes to come forward and report offences of this nature," Detective Senior Sergeant Harris said.

"Whether it is an incident that has just occurred, or one from several years ago, I want to reassure victim-survivors that police take all reports seriously and will investigate it to its full extent.

"You are not alone and support services are available."

Queensland police said investigations were ongoing.