Latest news with #MitchellLeslie
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Furious parents lash out at silence over local top cop accused of having a huge hoard of sick child abuse and bestiality pics - as he's pictured at a KIDS party just before his arrest
Outraged parents are demanding answers after a father-of-four police officer was allowed to attend kids events while being investigated and later charged over a vast cache of child abuse and bestiality images. Former elite Raptor Squad cop Mitchell Leslie, 38, from the NSW Central Coast, is accused of keeping more than 200,000 depraved images on his phone and laptop. He was arrested last week following a NSW Police probe into unauthorised use of police IT systems in March this year while attached to Hornsby Police Station. The investigation culminated in the seizure of his electronic devices in May. But despite being under investigation, Leslie continued to go to children's sporting events and even a kids' birthday party. Now outraged parents have shared their concerns with Daily Mail Australia, claiming they have been left in the dark. 'This has sent shockwaves through our community,' said one concerned mother whose children were among those at the party Leslie attended. 'Parents are anxious and disturbed that someone in such a position of trust could be implicated in such offences. 'This man has been to our houses, celebrated at birthday parties, played with our kids and had sleepovers at his house, but no one has said anything to any of us.' With no word from schools or authorities, the worried mother says parents have been left in the dark. 'We have no idea whose kids are allegedly in those images - if we should talk to our kids about it or what will happen next,' she said. 'I'm so upset by it. I feel sick and I can't sleep at night knowing this.' NSW Police confirmed Leslie was charged with misconduct in public office, two counts of possessing child abuse material, one count of possessing bestiality material, and three counts of accessing or modifying restricted data on the police computer system. Court documents revealed the investigation was sparked when Leslie allegedly accessed the confidential NSW Police Force computer database to illegally help his lover on multiple occasions. On one occasion, it's alleged he tried to protect her from being detected driving unlawfully and at another time he accessed it to help her brother avoid a domestic violence apprehension. He's also accused of drafting a letter on NSW Police letterhead for the Department of Communities and Justice to assist that same partner with 'prioritised residence relocation.' 'We want answers,' another parent told Daily Mail Australia. 'As someone with an understanding of child protection I'm asking what immediate safeguarding steps are being taken locally in response to this case? 'What communication and reassurance are being provided to local schools, families, and children who may be directly or indirectly affected? 'Because we have contacted the school, the police and our local MPs and no one is giving us answers.' Leslie's barrister Imogen Hogan applied for bail, telling the court her client was currently receiving psychological treatment in Brisbane Water Private Hospital after spending three weeks as a mental health inpatient at Gosford Public Hospital. She said Constable Leslie was involved in the arrest of several prominent outlaw motorcycle gang members, and faced 'significant risks' if he was to be remanded in custody. Ms Hogan tendered an affidavit from Constable Leslie's mother which said he hoped to continue his treatment at Brisbane Water Private Hospital until he could get a bed at a specialist 'first responder' PTSD treatment program at Kellyville Private Hospital. She said Constable Leslie no longer had access to his police database and the fear of custody was 'itself' reason to comply with any strict bail conditions. But the Crown prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court Constable Leslie had been adequately treated for PTSD while serving as a police officer. She said he was only admitted to hospital on May 30, which was the day police raided his home and he would have been charged sooner if it were not for concerns about his mental health. He is suspended without pay and an urgent review of his employment status is underway. Magistrate Michael O'Brien said ultimately he was unsatisfied any conditions would alleviate the risk of Constable Leslie fleeing the jurisdiction, committing further offences or interfering with witnesses and refused him bail. He will reappear at Downing Centre Local Court on September 10. NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia that they are still reviewing the material seized. 'Investigations under Strike Force Blumont remain ongoing, and it has been important to maintain a level of confidentiality to protect the integrity of the investigation and the court proceedings,' said the spokesperson. 'Strike Force investigators continue to review material contained on the seized electronic devices. 'Based on information currently at hand, it is alleged the material was downloaded from online platforms.' If parents believe their child may have been at risk, or if their child has told them about any inappropriate behaviour, please contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
ABC News
15-07-2025
- ABC News
NSW Police officer charged with possessing child abuse, bestiality material
A police officer has been suspended without pay after he was charged over the possession of child abuse and bestiality material, and for alleged misconduct. NSW Police said it began investigating reports of unauthorised access of the police computer system in March this year, before seizing the electronic devices of a senior constable in May. Mitchell Leslie, 38, was arrested on Tuesday morning and refused bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court that afternoon. It's alleged the officer had the child abuse and bestiality material on his personal phone and laptop. The prosecution told the court he was in possession of "potentially over 200,000 images" of child abuse material. Mr Leslie was charged with misconduct in public office, two counts of possessing child abuse material, person possessing bestiality material and three counts of access/modify restricted data held in computer. Court documents alleged he unlawfully accessed the confidential NSW Police Force computer policing system database and unlawfully accessed restricted data. Among allegations of misconduct, Mr Leslie has been accused of protecting his partner from being detected driving unlawfully, being "complicit" in his partner's brother avoiding apprehension of domestic violence offences, and misusing a police vehicle. Court documents also alleged he provided his partner with a letter on NSW Police letterhead for the Department of Communities and Justice to "assist with prioritised residence relocation". The documents said he did so "being outside the scope of his duty and a conflict of interest". His barrister Imogan Hogan applied for bail for reasons including that he was receiving mental health treatment and intended to be transferred to an in-patient PTSD program. Ms Hogan raised concerns over his custody, including that he was involved in the arrests of outlaw motorcycle gang members while he was part of the Raptor Squad. The prosecution argued the allegations he faced were "very serious" and that releasing him on bail or imposing conditions would be a risk. "Due to the unacceptable risk of further serious offending and interference with evidence and witnesses … there are significant bail concerns," the prosecution said. The magistrate refused his bail application "due to the unacceptable risk". He is suspended without pay, and an urgent review of his employment status is underway. Mr Leslie will next appear in court on September 10.
