source : the age
The accused leader of a global “satanic paedophile ring” that allegedly includes a swimming coach and former police officer has been released back into the community following months in custody on remand.
Landon Ashton Versace Germanotta-Mills, who describes himself online as an “investigative and forensic journalist” who railed against child abusers, was granted Supreme Court bail on Tuesday despite prosecutors expressing concerns about his release.
The 27-year-old is alleged to have played a leading role in an international satanic child sexual abuse ring that police described as “the most extreme we’ve seen”, with its details so “depraved” it has shocked court authorities.
Germanotta-Mills was arrested several months ago alongside ex-police officer David Turner and former Victorian swim coach Mark Andrew Sendecky, both 42.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, the head of the NSW Sex Crimes squad, said at the time that the material consisted of victims aged from babies to 12, was “among the most extreme we have seen” and that its “use of satanic iconography demonstrates the level of depravity”.
She said police were working with international law enforcement and had gathered evidence identifying 145 alleged overseas offenders.
Germanotta-Mills was charged a string of offences, including accessing, transmitting and possessing child abuse material and some relating to bestiality material.
He had been in custody on remand since his arrest from a Waterloo apartment in November.
Justice Belinda Rigg said the “serious allegations” involved a “large number of files” and a “real prospect of full-time imprisonment” if he was convicted.
“There is apparent strength to the prosecution case on my analysis of the detailed fact sheet, including the ways in which the applicant is linked with the different devices and platforms relied upon by the prosecution, and also a number of admissions made by him,” she said.
However, she found concerns about Germanotta-Mills committing a serious offence, endangering individuals or the community – with potential access to minors and the internet – and failing to appear at court could be managed.
The alleged predator was bailed to live with his mother in his childhood town of Wellington in the state’s Central West. The court heard the NSW government was trying to terminate his Sydney public housing tenancy through Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) over allegations he used his home for “an illegal purpose”.
His conditions include home detention (with no children visitors), daily police reporting, drug and alcohol abstention, not contacting witnesses, a phone and internet ban, surrendering his passport and staying away from international departure points.
He must also continue receiving mental health support.
Commonwealth DPP prosecutor Zoe Brodie opposed bail in the context of “inherently weak” proposed conditions, including living “in a town some five hours away with a support network that appears to be limited to his mother”.
“Whilst [he would be] subject to some internet restrictions and home detention, his return to the community is otherwise somewhat similar to the circumstances in which it’s alleged that he committed the offences,” Brodie said.
“It also appears to be the case that it’s not proposed that he engage in any sort of employment or work… plus he is out in the community”.
The prosecutor expressed concerns about the difficulty of enforcing conditions, particularly the internet ban.
Ultimately, Rigg found there was nothing to indicate Germanotta-Mills would not comply with the “very strict” conditions.
Germanotta-Mills’ LinkedIn profile said he “founded Underground Media Network to do what mainstream journalism won’t: expose police corruption, institutional abuse, systemic racism and state-sanctioned silence”.
“I follow stories no one wants to print – stories about Aboriginal deaths in custody, survivors failed by foster care, officers who abuse with impunity, and whistleblowers punished for telling the truth.”
Several more men were arrested in connection to the alleged child abuse ring and remain before the courts, including Turner, Sendecky, Benjamin Raymond Drysdale and Colin Milne.
During Germanotta-Mills’ bail hearing, the judge flagged an application by this masthead to inspect the “very detailed statement of facts”, which is expected to be released in a redacted form following inspection by the parties.
Germanotta-Mills and his co-accused have not yet entered pleas. They will next face the local court in May and June.
Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028, Lifeline 13 11 14, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
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