Latest news with #ChristopherMcCann
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Former bank exec accused of grooming girls found dead
A former Commonwealth Bank executive accused of grooming underage girls for sex has been found dead, days after appearing in court. Christopher James McCann, 50, was charged with one count of using the internet to procure children aged under 16. He appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court on Monday where he was granted bail after being extradited from NSW. Queensland Police confirmed McCann, who was from Sydney suburb Curl Curl, was found dead on Wednesday at his Springbrook bail address in the Gold Coast hinterland. "A report will be prepared for the coroner following the non-suspicious death of a man at Springbrook yesterday," it said in a statement. His alleged offending was described on Monday by Magistrate Louise Shephard as "terribly serious". McCann allegedly engaged Brisbane sex worker Shauntelle Elizabeth Went, 18, to supply the services of two girls aged 14 or 15. He was accused of making an arrangement and agreeing on a price to use Went's services alongside two underage girls. Went and the girls allegedly went to a Brisbane CBD five-star hotel, and the teens went to attend the room before he contacted the front desk to ask them to leave. It is not alleged that the girls entered the room, Ms Shephard said on Monday. McCann's employment had been terminated in the wake of the charges, and his assets were frozen. He was granted bail ahead of an August 4 court date on the condition that he had an overnight curfew and was limited to one mobile phone with no encrypted applications. Co-accused Went is next set to appear in court on August 4. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
Christopher James McCann, former Commonwealth Bank executive charged with procuring underage girls for sex, dies
A former Commonwealth Bank executive facing charges of trying to procure underage girls for sex has been found dead, police have confirmed. Christopher James McCann was charged with a single count of using the internet to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act and faced court earlier this week. He was granted bail on Monday to reappear on August 4. In a statement, a Queensland Police spokeswoman said: 'A report will be prepared for the Coroner following the non-suspicious death of a man at Springbrook yesterday (Wednesday).' Mr McCann was sacked from his job and had his accounts frozen after his arrest, a court was told on Monday. He sat stony-faced in Brisbane Arrests Court – days after his arrest by NSW detectives at the Sydney Airport terminal – as he applied for bail. Despite magistrate Louise Shepherd acknowledging the seriousness of the charge, Mr McCann's lawyer David Jones KC criticised the police's material in objecting to bail as 'unprofessional' and engaging in 'fortune telling'. Both McCann and his co-accused, 18-year-old Shauntelle Elizabeth Went, walked from Brisbane Watch House on Monday afternoon with strict bail conditions. Mr McCann did not comment to waiting media as he left the building with a bowed head and entered a nearby car. Ms Went was supported by a man, who appeared to clash with one reporter while escorting the 18-year-old from the court precinct. The OnlyFans creator then turned and made a rude hand gesture as she walked off. The pair were facing a single count each of using the internet to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act. Neither entered any pleas. On Monday, the court was told police alleged Mr McCann – a married father of two who travelled frequently interstate – formed a 'connection' with Ms Went, a sex worker. It is further alleged Mr McCann was organising to use her services while in Brisbane in May but queried if she had any 'younger friends' she worked with. 'You made an arrangement and agreed on a price to use Ms Went's services and that of two underage girls,' Ms Shepherd said in her summary of the police allegations. The teen girls, aged 14 and 15, and Ms Went allegedly attended the Sofitel Hotel, but Ms Shepherd said it was not alleged the girls went up to Mr McCann's room. The court was told Mr McCann was no longer employed by Commonwealth Bank as a result of the charges. His financial accounts had also been frozen by detectives. Police opposed Mr McCann's bail, claiming there was a risk of further offending and general safety to the community. Ms Shepherd granted Mr McCann bail – ordering him to report to police once a week, not to drink or use illicit drugs and be subject to drug testing. He was also ordered to possess only one phone. Ms Went was also granted bail during an application before Ms Shepherd. The court was told Ms Went was receiving a disability support pension and received money through her OnlyFans account, but she did not perform in-person sex work. Both Mr McCann and Ms Went were due to return to court on August 4.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Commonwealth Bank executive Christopher McCann who allegedly procured underage children for sex is found dead after appearing in court
A Commonwealth Bank executive accused of grooming underage girls for sex has died. Christopher James McCann, 50, appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court last Monday to apply for bail after being charged with one count of using the internet to procure children aged under 16. The Sydney-based McCann was extradited to Queensland on Thursday night after being arrested by NSW Police. He was found dead at Springbrook yesterday. Queensland Police Service are not treating his death as suspicious. 'A report will be prepared for the Coroner following the non-suspicious death of a man at Springbrook yesterday,' a spokeswoman said in a statement. McCann described himself online as a corporate finance executive with more than 20 years of experience. Magistrate Louise Shephard told McCann he was accused of a 'terribly serious offence' by allegedly engaging Brisbane sex worker Shauntelle Elizabeth Went, 18, to supply the services of two girls aged 14 or 15. 'You travelled interstate frequently. You formed some kind of connection with (Went). On May 14 police intercepted messages between you and she. 'The allegation is you ... queried her about whether she had younger friends that she worked with.' McCann stood in the dock looking either down or straight ahead during his appearance. Ms Shephard said McCann was accused of making an arrangement and agreeing on price to use Went's services alongside two underage girls. 'Later the evening Went and the girls attended (a Brisbane CBD five-star hotel),' Ms Shephard said. 'The two girls went to the room and you contacted the front desk to ask them to leave. It is not alleged the girls entered the room. 'The matter was referred by NSW Police to Task Force Argos (Queensland Police child exploitation unit) and on July 8 they executed a search warrant on your home.' A prosecutor opposed bail based on the risk of McCann offending while on bail and the risk to the welfare of the community. 'He lives in NSW. He is a flight risk. He has financial capacity from his previous employment,' the prosecutor said. Ms Shephard said McCann's employment had been terminated.
Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Herald Sun
Commonwealth Bank executive Christopher McCann arrested on child exploitation
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A senior Commonwealth Bank executive has been extradited to Queensland and charged after allegedly attempting to procure two underage girls for sex at a Brisbane hotel. Christopher McCann, 50, was arrested by NSW detectives at Sydney Airport on Tuesday. He was then extradited to Brisbane and appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, facing one count of using electronic communication to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act. Police will allege Mr McCann befriended a Brisbane sex worker and convinced her to lure two teenage girls to a hotel in May. The group allegedly met one night, but a concerned hotel staff member raised the alarm. Queensland authorities were first alerted after the NSW Police sex crimes squad launched Strike Force Coalhurst in March to investigate Mr McCann's alleged attempts to procure a child under 16. Police identified him while he was visiting Brisbane and referred the case to Queensland's child exploitation unit, Taskforce Argos. Officers launched a two-month investigation, and a Queensland court later issued a warrant for his arrest. Mr McCann was taken into custody by NSW detectives on July 9. He has been extradited to Queensland. Picture: 7News Argos Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Burke said the arrest served as a stark reminder to anyone seeking to exploit or harm children. 'Argos investigators and police across the country work collaboratively to share information, intelligence and investigative assistance,' Inspector Burke said. 'We are constantly online, working tirelessly to identify and apprehend offenders. 'Our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community remains unwavering, and we will continue to pursue those who pose a threat to children.' Mr McCann allegedly convinced a sex worker to lure two teenage girls to a hotel. Picture: 7News Sex crimes squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said the arrest was the result of strong interagency co-operation and a common goal of keeping communities safe. 'Working closely with Queensland Police, we were able to track a suspect who believed interstate travel would allow him to evade detection. He was wrong,' Superintendent Doherty said. 'These joint efforts demonstrate that our law enforcement capabilities don't stop at state borders. If you fly interstate to commit crimes, know that our reach is national.' Mr McCann's matter was briefly mentioned in court on Thursday and is expected to return on Friday. Originally published as Commonwealth Bank executive charged in child exploitation case
