6 days ago
Christopher James McCann, charged with procuring under-age girls for sex, found dead
A Commonwealth Bank executive charged with procuring under-age girls for sex has been found dead in the Gold Coast hinterland, police have confirmed.
Christopher James McCann had been extradited from Sydney to face court on the grooming charges.
Queensland police confirmed the 50-year-old was found dead in Springbrook National Park on Wednesday.
Last week Mr McCann was arrested in Sydney and appeared at Central Local Court.
Detectives from Brisbane made an application to extradite him to Queensland to face one charge of using the internet to procure a child under 16 for sex.
At the time, the court heard Mr McCann, who had no prior criminal history, allegedly asked an 18-year-old sex worker in Brisbane to procure two children for him to have sex with.
In May he then travelled to Brisbane where he was staying in a hotel, and the 18-year-old woman allegedly brought the two younger girls to meet him, the court heard.
However the court heard, it's alleged Mr McCann did not open the door to them and a hotel staff member became involved.
The court heard police had previously intercepted Mr McCann's phone and his home had been searched and electronics seized.
Mr McCann tried to apply for bail and travel to Brisbane himself, but Magistrate Clare Farnan refused, describing the allegations against him as 'very serious'.
'Whilst the single count before the court is one which did not result in any harm to an actual child, if I can put it in that way, it is an allegation of Mr McCann having allegedly tried to procure underage girls for the purpose of a sexual act,' she said.
The extradition was granted, and Mr McCann was flown to Brisbane alongside police.
He had appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday where he was accused of using the internet to engage a Brisbane sex worker to supply the services of two girls aged 14 and 15 while staying at the five star Sofitel Hotel in May.
It was reported he was granted bail to reappear on August 4 and ordered to stay with a friend who lived on the Gold Coast.
He was also ordered to possess only one phone, report to police once a week and be subjected to a no drug ban with regular tests.
The high-flying executive worked in the bank's finance team, and was sacked after the allegations were made public.
Queensland police said the death was non-suspicious and report was being prepared for the coroner.
Mr McCann's defence attorney has been contacted for comment.
