Man accused of overseas child abuse to stay behind bars
Rex Martinich |
A man will remain in custody after children in Australia and overseas were rescued following his arrest for drug and child exploitation charges.
Samuel Emmerson Howard Blackley has been accused of using the internet to sexually exploit children in southeast Queensland and the Philippines.
Blackley, 31, was arrested during a police search of his home at Kippa Ring north of Brisbane on December 7, 2024.
Investigators alleged they found child exploitation material in Blackley’s home showing two alleged victims later identified as being in southeast Queensland.
Police claimed an additional two alleged child victims were identified to be in the Philippines.
“Queensland Police Service engaged the Australian Federal Police representatives to work with the Philippine National Police to locate and rescue two children, and an associated three others, from abusive environments,” a police statement said.
Five children, four girls and one boy, were rescued by Philippine authorities on February 20.
Blackley’s case was briefly mentioned in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Thursday and he was excused from appearing.
He has been in custody since his arrest and his solicitor, Kristie Koo, did not make an application for bail.
Magistrate Mark Bucknall heard prosecutors had prepared a brief of evidence for all charges and provided it to Ms Koo.
“I want to know (by June 2025) whether it is to proceed by a registry committal, unless it already has, or otherwise how we progress it to committal and whether there will be cross-examination of any witnesses,” Mr Bucknall said.
A registry committal allows a case involving serious charges to proceed to trial in the District or Supreme Court without the need for a committal hearing in the Magistrates Court to determine whether there is sufficient evidence.
Blackley was initially charged with three counts of possessing child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
In January he was charged with a further 24 alleged offences including six counts of supplying cannabis and methamphetamine, nine counts of child grooming or aiding procurement of a child and four counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 with impairment of the mind.
Mr Bucknall adjourned the matter to May 29 and excused Blackley from personally appearing on that date.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
AAP
