AN EAST Tamworth man charged with possessing child sex abuse material will return to court next month, after another delay in his case.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hamish Norman Harrison did not appear in Tamworth Local Court when his case was called, but solicitor Richard O'Halloran said his client had been excused because the case wasn't moving ahead.
Solicitor for the Commonwealth DPP - which is prosecuting the case - Michael Peng said "unfortunately" the case was not ready for charge certification, where the DPP would confirm the charges it would proceed with.
He said the DPP had examined the brief of evidence received from investigating police.
READ ALSO:
"It became evident that further materials were required," he told the court, appearing via video link in court.
Mr Peng told the court "requisitions have been made for important statements".
It became evident that further materials were required.
- Commonwealth DPP solicitor Michael Peng
He said one included a police statement from "the officer who examined' the device "during the search warrant ... and saw child abuse material".
Mr Peng said the prosecution needed six more weeks to gather the statements and certify the charges.
Magistrate Julie Soars granted the adjournment, after the defence consented, and the case will return to court in late-March.
Harrison remains on conditional bail, which was granted after his arrest last year.
The case can be reported after an earlier non-publication order on the case was lifted in court by Ms Soars.
Harrison was arrested in East Tamworth in early September last year and charged by Oxley detectives with possessing child abuse material, and possessing or controlling child abuse material using carriage service.
He has not been required to enter pleas in court.
Harrison was granted bail in court after his arrest with several conditions.
As part of his bail, he's prohibited from being in the company of any person under the age of 16 years, and must not use a phone which can access the internet.
One of his conditions is "not to access the internet through any means or use a computer or iPad or any other device to do so", according to court documents.
Harrison must also report daily to police, and to secure his release he had to post $20,000 in surety.