A photographer for an Adelaide performing arts group is behind bars accused of child sex offences, with the court hearing more victims are likely to come forward.
Michael Townsend, 35, of Parafield Gardens, faced the Elizabeth Magistrates Court today charged with indecently assaulting several children – some under the age of 12 — and procuring a child for sexual activity.
The offences are alleged to have occurred at several locations in South Australia in 2020 and this year.
The court heard Mr Townsend was arrested on February 1 but released on bail, only to be re-arrested last night, after further alleged offending came to light.
The police prosecutor told the court the alleged offending included photographing children in various stages of undress and indecently assaulting them during photoshoots, and that in some cases, parents or caregivers had witnessed the alleged crimes.
"There are further complainants who are in the process of making reports so there are other charges to be laid," the police prosecutor said.
Dispute over meaning of messages
The court heard the messages sent by Mr Townsend included: "I made the choice and I only have myself to blame," "I can only imagine what you are going through and I hate what I did", and "I wish I could go back and just do the photoshoot again".
The prosecutor told the court Mr Townsend's electronic devices had been seized and there were messages that appeared to have been deleted and witnesses "interfered" with.
But during a bail application, the duty solicitor for Mr Townsend told the court the messages were "out of context" and that the alleged crimes were a "misunderstanding" with the children "misinterpreting" what he was asking.
"Some of these matters were way back in 2020 — so quite dated in that regard — and quite coincidental that they've all come forward at the same time," he told the court.
"In regard to those messages, none of them are dated and none of them make any reference to… anything in particular."
Mr Townsend's lawyer told the court his client was instead referring to upsetting someone he had photographed in a bid to "spark an emotion" and get a better photo.
"It being somewhat distasteful in the way he's gone about it," he said.
"He tried that same technique on [this child], however, it hasn't exactly landed the way it probably should have with an adult."
Bail needed to care for son and wife
Prosecutors opposed all forms of bail.
Magistrate Edward Stretton-Smith said the messages were "troubling" and he would not release Mr Townsend on simple bail given it was not clear whether he had breached his previous bail and that there were other potential victims.
But Mr Townsend's lawyer said his client should be released on home detention bail as remanding him in custody would be a "punishing factor" as he was crucial to the care of his son and wife and had no prior criminal history.
His lawyer told the court his client suffered from depression and anxiety and had also had a bad reaction to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Mr Townsend has been remanded in custody awaiting a home detention report.
The matter returns to court next week.
