Joshua Dale Brown, a childcare worker accused of multiple offences, will not return to court until next year, as a magistrate has granted police additional time to accumulate evidence against him. Brown, who faces over 70 charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of eight children under his care, was not present at the brief hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, where prosecutors requested an extension for the committal mention date.
The 26-year-old has worked at 20 childcare centres in Melbourne from January 2017 until his arrest on May 12, 2023. Magistrate Donna Bakos has allowed police until December 4 to serve evidence to Brown’s defence team, with the next court appearance scheduled for February 10, 2024. The magistrate acknowledged the need for extra time in the investigation and indicated that further charges may be forthcoming.
Brown’s barrister, Rishi Nathwani KC, did not contest the request for more time but sought to prevent the charge sheets from being shared with the media, arguing that it was premature to disclose details while the investigation continued. However, Magistrate Bakos stated that the charges are a matter of public record and denied the motion to restrict access. She emphasised the importance of fair reporting, stating that the public deserves to know the nature of the charges at this stage.
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