Magistrate Andrew Capell took little time in refusing Robert John Mason bail yesterday, saying the 44-year-old had lied to police about his conduct over the past three years.

Mason appeared in the dock of Ballarat Magistrates Court, where he faced 24 charges including producing and possessing child pornography, procuring a minor for child pornography, and 19 counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Mark Webber from the Ballarat sexual offence and child abuse investigation team gave evidence, telling the court Mason first began chatting online with the girl in 2008 when she was 15.

He alleged Mason had said he was 26 at the time and wanted “to meet young girls for fun”.

Mason was said to have had at least five different profiles on the website.

Mason and the girl allegedly commenced a sexual relationship when she was 17, and he took still and video images of her and stored them on his phone.

He also allegedly showed her images of other young naked girls.

Detective Webber said police found more than 500 videos on the memory card of Mason’s phone, displaying images of children as young as three or four years old up to adults.

Police will analyse the videos over a five-day period later this month.

It was alleged that in the 60 days prior to his arrest in December last year, Mason used his phone more than 13,000 times to access the chat website, which The Courier has elected not to name.

Defence barrister Amanda Hurst said her client should be bailed because all his electronic devices had been seized and he was not in a financial position to acquire more.

She said he suffered an acquired brain injury, and was also paying off a mortgage.

But Mr Capell said Mason was a “substantial risk of re-offending” and would not be released.

“Mr Mason, you’ve got a fair idea what I’m going to do,” Mr Capell said before making his decision.

“I don’t trust you on bail. If you don’t have access to these items you have ways and means of getting them.”

Mason is due back in court on April 19 for a committal mention.

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