'Completely unsafe around children': Man allegedly indecently abused granddaughter

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged child abuse.

A grandfather handed child abuse charges over allegations involving his own granddaughter has been refused bail after a prosecutor claimed he was “completely unsafe around children”.

It is alleged he indecently abused the five-year-old girl at his home in Canberra between 2023 and 2024.

Police received a report about the allegations earlier in February 2025 and began an investigation, an ACT Policing spokesperson said.

On Wednesday (26 February), officers raided the man’s home and found what they suspected to be child exploitation material on his phone.

The 74-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his granddaughter, was charged with committing an act of indecency on a child under 10 and possessing child exploitation material.

He appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (27 February).

During his bail application, the court heard he had been sentenced for offences of a similar nature in the 2000s, for which he served prison time.

The man’s lawyer, Amelie McCarthy of Legal Aid, argued strict bail conditions could ameliorate the risks if he were released and said he could keep living at home with his wife.

She noted how the granddaughter said she was not concerned for her safety and lived at home with her parents.

Ms McCarthy argued there was no real risk of reoffending to the girl or other children and said her client hadn’t committed any other offences since the crimes he was sentenced for in the 2000s.

Prosecutor Gretta Cuthel opposed bail, arguing the man was unable to control himself in the presence of children and that living with his wife was not a protective factor “in the slightest”.

She said the wife was aware of the previous convictions and had been present in the house during the alleged offending against the granddaughter.

While the wife said she didn’t know how the alleged abuse was possible as the man had only been left alone with his granddaughter for five minutes, Ms Cuthel said that should give the court concern as it showed the “brazenness” of the alleged offending.

Magistrate Robert Cook said the allegations “do give rise to concerns by me” and thought no bail conditions could ameliorate the risks.

He refused bail and remanded the man in custody to March for pleas to be entered.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.