A 21-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting two young girls at a Ballarat playground has been remanded in custody.
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Fraser Shillington appeared on an audio-visual link at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and made no attempt for bail.
His defence lawyer, David Tamanika, applied for a suppression order on the proceedings, stating his client's safety was in danger if his name was released.
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Mr Tamanika used comments from a 'Ballarat Crime Watch' Facebook page, which had shared a Victoria Police media release from earlier this week calling for witnesses.
He cited comments directed at Shillington, which included he should be "flogged" and "castrated", that he "deserved to die", and that one user wanted to "throw a brick at him".
While he admitted some were fanciful, he maintained Shillington's safety in the community would be in danger should bail be granted.
"It's the inference - it sounds like they want to kill him," he told the court.
"I think it's necessary, if there's a death threat, the court needs to take it seriously."
It was determined in court that the 'Crime Watch' page had no official association with Victoria Police.
Magistrate Ron Saines viewed some of the comments on the Facebook post in court, and refused the request for the suppression order.
"There are statements made on a social media page ... but the statements are among a number of other contexts, some express hope the offender is found and dealt with in the justice system," he said.
"There are vindictive and judgmental statements - to use a colloquial term, keyboard warriors.
"I am satisfied the application for the suppression order should be refused."
Shillington will appear in court again on April 9 for a bail application.
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