Latest news with #sexcrime
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- 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
ABC News
17-07-2025
- ABC News
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.
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- 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
15-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Bombshell twist as police probe into alleged childcare monster spreads to even more new locations
Sex crime cops investigating accused paedophile Joshua Dale Brown have uncovered four more childcare centres where the alleged sex offender worked Police now believe Brown, 26, who was charged with more than 70 child sex offences including the sexual penetration of a child and producing child abuse material, worked at 23 centres during his alleged offending. Brown, who was arrested in May, was also charged with recklessly contaminate goods to cause alarm or anxiety, which is understood to refer to the alleged contamination of food with bodily fluids. Brown's charges relate to eight alleged victims, aged between five months and two-years-old, who were in the care of Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023. The charges centre on Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook, where the accused worked between October 2021 and February 2024, though he also worked at more than a dozen other centres across Melbourne between 2017 and 2025. Police are desperately hunting down evidence from other centres where Brown worked. The sprawling and 'urgent investigation' is considered a top priority for police. However, Victoria Police announced today it has uncovered four more centres Brown worked which cops are now probing. Brown worked at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook (pictured) between April 2022 and January 2023 These new centres uncovered by police and the sates Brown worked are: Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham on August 29, 2024. Milestones Early Learning Tarneit on September 10, 2024 and September 13, 2024. Milestones Early Learning Braybrook on December 4, 2024 and December 6, 2024 Milestones Early Learning Greensborough on December 5, 2024, January 31, 2025 and February 27, 2025. In a relief to some parents, police have now ruled out Brown ever worked at Papilio Early Learning in Hoppers Crossing between August 22, 2024 and March 12, 2025. Victoria Police admitted 'further investigation has since determined this information was incorrect and the centre has been removed from the list'. Police now believe Brown worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025. Agencies are in the process of contacting the families who had children placed at the four new impacted centres during the time of Brown's employment. According to Victoria Police, the urgent investigation spearheaded by the Sexual Crimes Squad focused on centres where Brown may have worked. 'This has been extremely complex due to childcare approved providers not having centralised records, requiring detectives to execute search warrants to obtain handwritten records, shift rosters and other critical information,' Police say. Investigators have also had to interview witnesses to verify details and provide an accurate account of Brown's employment history, as well as assessing more than 270 Crime Stoppers reports. Police confirmed the information released today is the most accurate and up to date record available but 'advises that further updates are likely in the coming weeks'. Acting Crime Command Commander Janet Stevenson said police 'understand many people in the community will still be feeling shocked and anxious in relation to this matter'. 'This investigation remains the highest priority for Victoria Police. We are working through a large amount of information that has been provided to us,' she said. 'Each piece of information has to be individually assessed and verified before it can be used as part of the investigation or released to the public. 'I understand there are people who will be frustrated and I want to reinforce that this is a continually evolving and changing situation. 'What hasn't changed is that this investigation remains the highest priority for Victoria Police. 'I also want to remind people, especially those struggling with this news, that there is a number of support services readily available for impacted parties and I strongly encourage people to seek those out.' On July 1, the Victorian Department of Health and Victoria Police urged the parents of 1,200 children to have them tested for infectious diseases. Health authorities had to contact more than 2,600 families after Brown was taken into custody. Daily Mail Australia revealed more than a dozen families have already approached a high-profile law firm in Victoria to seek compensation over the alleged actions of Brown while their children were under his care. Arnold Thomas and Becker Lawyers have confirmed they were contacted by a string of families about potential legal action. A spokesperson for Thomas and Becker Lawyers, which is assisting thousands of Victorians in cases over abuse as a child, said they think the number of families who will reach out to them about this is 'only going to grow'. 'We have already been contacted by a number of families who have been impacted by these shocking events,' principal lawyer Jodie Harris told Daily Mail Australia. 'Our thoughts are with the families affected, who are no doubt reeling from the shock and heartbreak of this news. 'It is truly incomprehensible that someone in a position of trust and care could prey on the most innocent members of our community.' She said that, while criminal proceedings are underway, families may have civil rights that entitle them to pursue compensation action. 'This includes the potential to seek compensation for injury. 'This could include medical expenses and potentially lump sum compensation.' Ms Harris added that it 'could be applicable for the impacted children and parents'. She said that, while criminal proceedings are underway, families may have civil rights that entitle them to pursue compensation action. 'This includes the potential to seek compensation for injury. 'This could include medical expenses and potentially lump sum compensation.' Ms Harris added that it 'could be applicable for the impacted children and parents'. Brown worked at a total of 23 childcare centres over an eight-year period between January 2017 and May 2025. He was not known to police prior to their investigation and held a Working With Children Check which has since been revoked. The Victorian Department of Health, in partnership with Victoria Police, is directly contacting families who may have been affected with further information. Not every child who attended the childcare centres listed will be recommended for testing, as they won't have been identified as having a potential exposure risk. It is also possible that those recommended for testing have had no exposure. If you haven't been contacted by Victoria Police or received a direct notification from the Department of Health (via text, email or letter), it is likely that your child is not recommended to undergo testing, but there may be some families who don't have up-to-date contact information. Parents who had a child at the listed childcare centres within the timeframes are advised to call the dedicated advice line on 1800 791 241 (open 7 days a week, 8am-9pm weekdays and 8am-5 pm weekends). Some families will be eligible for a payment of $5,000 to help with alternative care arrangements, loss of earnings, and other practical needs. Brown, who was arrested at his Point Cook home in May, has been remanded to face court on September 15. Below is a list of the childcare centres and employment dates where Brown worked provided by police: Nino Early Learning Adventures - Point Cook: 15 Jan 2017 – 9 Jun 2019 Explorers Early Learning – Point Cook: 18 Aug 2019 – 27 Oct 2019. Casual work: 10 Nov 2019 & 22 Dec 2019 Adventurers Education - Wyndham Vale: 25 Nov 2019 – 24 Jul 2020 Only About Children - Williamstown: 28 Oct 2020 – 30 Mar 2021 Wallaby Childcare Centre - Sanctuary Lakes: 13 Apr 2021 – 25 May 2021 Nido Early Learning School - Werribee: 21 Jun 2021 – 16 Jul 2021 Creative Gardens - Point Cook: 28 Oct 2021 – 2 Feb 2024 Leopold World of Learning - Leopold: 9 Feb 2023 – 13 Feb 2023 Greenwood - Point Cook: 14 Feb 2023 – 10 Mar 2023 Little Blossoms Child Care Centre - Werribee: 14 Aug 2023 – 17 Aug 2023 D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children - Footscray: 1 Mar 2024 – 30 Apr 2024 Aussie Kindies Early Learning - Sunbury: 13 Aug 2024 – 21 Aug 2024 Milestones Early Learning - Werribee: 14 Aug 2024 – 16 Aug 2024 Milestones Early Learning - Hoppers Crossing: 19 Aug 2024 – 19 Aug 2024 Kids Academy - Melton: 12 Sep 2024 – 12 Sep 2024 Kids Academy - Kensington: 7 Oct 2024 – 9 Oct 2024 Aussie Kindies Early Learning - Keilor: 11 Feb 2025 – 11 Feb 2025 Papilio Early Learning - Essendon: 17 Feb 2025 – 9 May 2025 Milestones Early Learning - Bundoora: 8 May 2025 – 8 May 2025
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.
