24/02/2023

A man facing 303 charges of possessing and transmitting child abuse material has been refused bail over concerns he would destroy the evidence against him if released.

Magistrate Kieran Gilligan on Friday refused Mr Begnell bail over concerns the 37-year-old would “conceal, destroy or fabricate” the evidence police would use against him if he was released, or instruct others to do so.
“If he was released on bail there is a real risk he may erase such material,” Mr Gilligan said.
One of the apps Mr Begnell used had a self-destruction function, there was no way police could monitor his online activities and his release had the potential to jeopardise other investigations, the magistrate said.
He also raised the concern of Mr Begnell posing a risk to the public’s safety, as the bail hearing was previously told the accused man took a photograph of boys attending an Anzac Day parade in 2018 and sent the image to another man with the message: “There is so much eye candy.”
Mr Begnell was arrested at his home in Werribee on September 2 and had admitted to police he possessed the child abuse material. His lawyers concede the case against him is very strong.
“In my view this is an extremely strong prosecution case per se, and in light of the admissions made by the accused in his interview,” Mr Gilligan said.
Police also feared that if released on bail, the accused could flee to his native NSW. He is unemployed, has no children and, apart from being a volunteer with the State Emergency Service, has no connection to Victoria, the court heard.
Mr Begnell, who appeared before the court via a video link from prison, was remanded in custody to return on January 8.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.