CBA exec Christopher James McCann charged with procuring child
Christopher James McCann sat stony-faced in Brisbane Arrests Court on Monday – 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 speak to media as he hurriedly exited the Brisbane Watch House after being granted bail on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
Shauntelle Elizabeth Went was also granted bail. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
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 are facing a single count each of using the internet to procure a child under 16 for a sexual act.
A supporter of Ms Went (right) appeared to clash with the media as he escorted the 18-year-old from the court premises. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
Neither have 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.
Christopher James McCann is charged with using the internet to procure a child under 16. Picture: Channel 7
Shauntelle Elizabeth Went is also charged with using the internet to procure a child under 16. Picture: Instagram
'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.
Mr McCann was extradited to Queensland following his arrest at Sydney Airport last week. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
His bail was opposed by police on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
Police opposed Mr McCann's bail, claiming there was a risk of further offending and general safety to the community.
But Mr Jones took issue with affidavits filed by the arresting officer that he said engaged in 'speculation' and were lacking in objectivity.
He also pointed to an affidavit prepared by a clinical psychologist who did not even assess his client.
Mr Jones said the police material was speculative and engaging in 'fortune telling', telling the court his client was not in a show-cause position and therefore had a prima facie case for bail being granted.
David Jones KC, Mr McCann's lawyer, was highly critical of the material in the police's objection to bail. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
'What would ordinarily be against an applicant, they have flipped,' Mr Jones said.
'So the fact he's 50 years old with no criminal history, doesn't use drugs, doesn't drink – ordinarily for everybody else, that would be a benefit, but for him, that's a disadvantage.'
Mr McCann has been sacked from his job and his accounts frozen. Picture: Supplied / LinkedIn
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 will return to court on August 4.
Read related topics: Commonwealth Bank Of Australia
Blake Antrobus
Court reporter
Blake Antrobus covers Queensland courts and crime for NCA NewsWire. He began his career in journalism in 2015, migrating from Sydney's northern beaches to southwest Queensland. He has covered politics, crime, education and general news for newspapers across the state.
@bt_ant
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