Ex-judge charged with possessing child abuse material allowed to travel to Europe
Former Fair Work Commission senior deputy president Alan Boulton, 74, fronted court for the first time after allegedly displaying the images in the last 15 minutes of a lecture at Monash University on February 5.
Mr Boulton on Thursday appeared via video at Melbourne Magistrates' Court, where his lawyer Holly Baxter argued against the prosecution's attempt to impose a travel ban as a condition of his bail.
The court was told Mr Boulton's lawyers had notified police on July 23 about a planned trip to Europe.
'My instructor has been upfront with the informant and police throughout the entirety of this investigation,' Ms Baxter said.
'No issue was taken with that.
'A serious amount of money has been spent on that trip.'
Ms Baxter said her client had already travelled overseas in May during the investigation and returned, arguing that he wasn't a flight risk.
Prosecutors said Mr Boulton hadn't been charged at the time of his previous trip.
Magistrate Brett Sonnet said he was 'not persuaded' the restriction on overseas travel was necessary, refusing the application.
Mr Boulton was charged on July 31 with one count of possessing child abuse material as a Commonwealth offence and two counts of possessing child abuse material.
Victoria Police said in a statement last week officers seized electronic devices during a search of Mr Boulton's home about one week after the alleged classroom incident.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said Mr Boulton was charged following a 'lengthy investigation'.
Police said detectives travelled to Sydney and searched a second property, with the assistance of NSW Police, on February 13.
'Further electronic devices were located and the investigation into those devices remains ongoing,' police said.
Following the alleged incident, Mr Boulton was immediately suspended from his role as a senior fellow at Monash University and removed from all teaching duties.
He was also directed by the university not to communicate with students or staff or access the university premises.
Mr Boulton is set to return to court on November 7.
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