A MAN charged with possessing a child-like sex doll has been remanded in custody after breaching strict bail conditions last week.
The 30 year old Limestone Coast man was arrested last Tuesday by the South Australia Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), becoming the first person in the state to be charged under the Commonwealth laws.
Investigators seized a child-like sex doll, children’s clothing – including school uniforms, swimwear and children’s underwear – and a computer during a search of the man’s home, with child abuse material allegedly stored on the computer.
Police also seized the man’s mobile phone and a bank card, bailing the man to appear in the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on March 27.
However, the man was arrested again with police alleging he purchased a mobile phone shortly after being released from custody and used it to check social media and news articles, a breach of his conditions.
Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Phil Hoff said a routine check revealed the breach.
“The man was under strict bail conditions and a check by Naracoorte police revealed he was in breach,” Supt Hoff said.
“The man was therefore arrested and kept in police custody until he appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Friday.
“The court did not make a ruling and he has been remanded in custody until a court date this week.”
With the defendant being identified on social media and media outlets, Supt Hoff said police were concerned for the man’s welfare, with fears of “vigilante justice” taking place.
“We have been concerned for his welfare but at this stage we are not aware of any threats coming to fruition,” he said.
“The accused is still innocent at this stage – he has only been charged, not sentenced and the matter needs to go through the correct judicial process.
“The public should not take the law into their own hands. If they act out, they are then at risk of being charged themselves.”
The defendant is expected to appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Thursday.
He faces a 15-year jail term if convicted of possessing the anatomically-correct doll.
The new Commonwealth offence was introduced on September 20 last year with the South Australian Government also discussing similar state-based laws last year.
