A Commonwealth Bank executive accused of grooming underage girls for sex has been granted bail after being extradited interstate.
Christopher James McCann, 50, appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court today to apply for bail after being charged with one count of using the internet to procure children aged under 16.
The Sydney-based McCann was extradited to Queensland on Thursday night after being arrested by NSW Police.
McCann described himself online as a corporate finance executive with more than 20 years of experience.
Magistrate Louise Shephard told McCann he was accused of a “terribly serious offence” by allegedly engaging Brisbane sex worker Shauntelle Elizabeth Went, 18, to supply the services of two girls aged 14 or 15.
“You travelled interstate frequently. You formed some kind of connection with (Went). On May 14 police intercepted messages between you and she.
“The allegation is you … queried her about whether she had younger friends that she worked with.”
McCann stood in the dock looking either down or straight ahead during his appearance.
Shephard said McCann was accused of making an arrangement and agreeing on price to use Went’s services alongside two underage girls.
“Later the evening Went and the girls attended (a Brisbane CBD five-star hotel),” Shephard said.
“The two girls went to the room and you contacted the front desk to ask them to leave. It is not alleged the girls entered the room.
“The matter was referred by NSW Police to Task Force Argos (Queensland Police child exploitation unit) and on July 8 they executed a search warrant on your home.”
A prosecutor opposed bail based on the risk of McCann offending while on bail and the risk to the welfare of the community.
“He lives in NSW. He is a flight risk. He has financial capacity from his previous employment,” the prosecutor said.
Shephard said McCann’s employment had been terminated.
McCann’s barrister David Jones said his client’s assets would be frozen.
Jones said the police’s affidavit on why his client should be denied bail was speculative and if convicted, he might not face a custodial sentence.
“They are unprofessional. They lack compete objectivity … they speculate when there is nothing there. It goes so far as fortune telling,” he said.
Jones said McCann had no prior criminal record and was willing to abide by a range of conditions including living in Queensland during the court proceedings.
Shephard said she believed there was strength to the prosecution’s case against McCann, but the risks of him committing offences or absconding while on bail could be reduced with conditions.
McCann was granted bail on conditions including an overnight curfew and being limited to one mobile phone with no encrypted applications.
Jones declined to comment as he left court.
Went was also granted bail today.
The charges against Went and McCann are set to be mentioned in court again on August 4.
