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Australian Police Officer charged in relation to Child Abuse Material

australian police officer charged in relation to child abuse material
ABC News: Kenith Png

A police officer in Western Australia's Mid West charged with several offences relating to child abuse material has been granted bail.  

Senior Constable Michael Richard Tyler has been stood down from duty after he was arrested and charged by Australian Federal Police yesterday. Mr Tyler, 37, appeared in the Geraldton Magistrate's Court today, charged with seven counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage system.

He was not required to plead to the charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $199,800 fine. The Commonwealth prosecutor told the court it would be alleged multiple conversations relating to child abuse, including drugging and raping children, were found on two mobile phones and a laptop seized during a search of Mr Tyler's Geraldton home. Mr Tyler told officers he was the owner of all three devices, one of which he used for work, and was the only person who had access to them.

The prosecutor said bail was strongly opposed by the Crown due to concerns Mr Tyler could interfere with witnesses or attempt to destroy evidence remotely. Duty lawyer Karen Ward said Mr Tyler was willing to abide by strict conditions preventing him from being in contact with children and from accessing the internet. "The allegations are serious, but not so serious as to make bail inappropriate," she said.

"There are concerns for his safety if he is remanded in custody, given his line of work. "There are also significant delays in going to trial." Mr Tyler has been granted bail with strict protective conditions and a $40,000 personal undertaking with a similar surety.  He will be required to surrender his passport to the courthouse and is not allowed to contact any child under the age of 16.

His bail conditions also prohibit him from accessing the internet and social media platforms. However he is able to use the SafeWA application. He is due to reappear in court in Perth on September 24.

Authored by Francesca Mann via ABC News August 20th 2021

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