Latest news with #TaskForceArgos
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Major update after high-flying Commonwealth Bank executive was accused of asking an 18-year-old sex worker to find him 'younger' girls
A Commonwealth Bank executive accused of grooming underage girls for sex has been granted bail after being extradited interstate. Christopher James McCann, 50, appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court on 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. 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. McCann's barrister David Jones said his client's assets would be frozen. Mr Jones said the police's affidavit on why his client should be denied bail was speculative and if convicted, he might not face a custodial sentence. 'They are unprofessional. They lack compete objectivity... they speculate when there is nothing there. It goes so far as fortune telling,' he said. Mr Jones said McCann had no prior criminal record and was willing to abide by a range of conditions including living in Queensland during the court proceedings. Ms Shephard said she believed there was strength to the prosecution's case against McCann, but the risks of him committing offences or absconding while on bail could be reduced with conditions. McCann was granted bail on conditions including an overnight curfew and being limited to one mobile phone with no encrypted applications. Mr Jones declined to comment as he left court. Went was also granted bail on Monday.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Shock moment accused paedophile wearing The Muppets pyjamas with an 'unleash the beast' t-shirt is arrested
Dramatic footage has captured the moment an accused paedophile wearing The Muppets-themed pyjamas is busted by detectives in his home. Two men, aged 49 and 58, were arrested on the Sunshine Coast by detectives targeting online child exploitation and abuse on Monday. In footage of the arrests, detectives are seen speaking with the pyjama-clad 58-year-old as he sat on a couch barefoot. In another clip, officers are seen inspecting a laptop and desktop computer and searching a room filled to the brim with books. Army medals are also visible on a shelf. The second man, wearing a black sweatshirt and black shorts, is seen speaking with officers while holding work boots in one hand. The 49-year-old man was charged with one count each of using a carriage service to access child abuse material and possessing child exploitation material. Police allege the man accessed child abuse content online, with multiple electronic devices seized from his home for forensic examination. The Nambour man was released on strict bail conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 7. The 58-year-old man was arrested following a search of a Sunshine Coast home. He was charged with one count of using the internet to procure a child under the age of 16 and later released on strict bail conditions. He is set to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 14. Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Burke of Task Force Argos emphasised the serious risk online predators pose to children. 'Predators are constantly adapting to new platforms and technologies, which is why a whole-of-community response is crucial,' he said. 'Every app, game, or messaging service a child uses can be a potential contact point for harm if not supervised.' He urged parents and caregivers to be involved in their children's online activities. 'Parents and caregivers don't need to be tech experts, but they do need to be engaged,' he continued. 'Understanding the apps children use, the settings, supervising, and keeping the lines of communication open are the key to prevention.'
