A magistrate has refused bail to an Eaglehawk man accused of providing a teenager with cannabis and having sexual images of her on his phone.
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Luke Brooks, 28, applied for bail in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Monday, having been charged with offences including knowingly possessing child exploitation material and providing a drug of dependence to a child.
The court heard Mr Brooks allegedly began to communicate with a 15-year-old girl through Facebook in April.
It was alleged he began offering cannabis to her.
Mr Brooks allegedly contacted the victim daily between April 8 and May 25.
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Police visited Mr Brooks' home on May 26.
They seized his phone after Mr Brooks gave them permission to search it and they found the messages to the teenager, including messages that allegedly invited her to come over and "smoke cones".
The phone was later examined and police allegedly found six sexual images of the victim in an app called Secure Folder.
Constable Caitlin McAnulty said Mr Brooks admitted to police he invited the girl over to smoke cannabis, and told them on occasion he would supply her the drug.
But Mr Brooks made no admissions to knowing anything about the photos discovered on his phone, she said.
Constable McAnulty said police opposed bail because it was believed Mr Brooks would contact the victim and supply her with drugs.
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She said he did not show remorse for his alleged offences, nor saw anything wrong with supplying cannabis to a child.
Mr Brooks said he would not contact the victim or anyone under 18 if released on bail.
"I'm not a risk, I won't even have a phone, I'll report to the police if I have to, I'll do anything," he said.
Mr Brooks said he also had more rehabilitation to do to treat the injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash.
But magistrate Michael King said the allegations were serious and held concerns about Mr Brooks being released on bail, including his ability to comply with bail conditions and the safety of the victim.
"Bail will be refused, he being an unacceptable risk," Dr King said.
Mr Brooks was remanded in custody to again appear in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court in August.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
