A 74-year-old Mandurah man on four counts of indecently dealing with his grandchild has been given permission to leave the country on a holiday to Bangkok.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has not yet entered a plea to the charges.
He applied to amend his bail in the Mandurah Magistrates Court recently, so he could travel to Thailand with his wife from March 18 to April 3.
The defence lawyer said the man had already pre-booked and paid for the trip before he was charged.
Read More:
The man had holidays booked throughout the year to other Asian countries including Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Malaysia.
His bail had previously stated that he was not allowed to leave the country.
Prosecuting sergeant Mick Fowler told the court he strongly opposed the man’s bail amendment.
“If he was convicted, there would be no doubt he would serve imprisonment,” Mr Fowler told the court.
“He is going to countries that have a problem in relation to child exploitation and people travelling for that reason.”
Magistrate Anne Longden said the man did not have any “allegations” against him of that nature and took into account that he would be travelling with his wife.
His bail amendment was approved for the first trip.
The man would reappear in the Mandurah Courthouse on April 24, 2018.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
