When men in power target children, should bail even be an option?
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Content warning: This story contains details of alleged child exploitation.
A senior bank executive stood accused of attempting to exploit two teenage girls.
The girls were just 14 and 15 years old when he allegedly made the arrangement.
Despite the disturbing allegations, he was granted bail.
Christopher James McCann, 50, appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court on 14 July 2025 after being extradited from New South Wales.
The former Commonwealth Bank executive was charged with using the internet to procure children under the age of 16.
Police alleged that McCann had contacted 18-year-old Brisbane sex worker Shauntelle Elizabeth Went and asked if she had younger friends.
Magistrate Louise Shephard said McCann was accused of arranging to meet with Went and two underage girls at a luxury hotel in Brisbane.
‘You travelled interstate frequently. You formed some kind of connection with (Went). On May 14 police intercepted messages between you and she,’ Shephard said.
‘The allegation is you...queried her about whether she had younger friends that she worked with.’
Shephard said that on the night of the alleged offence, the two teenage girls arrived at the Brisbane CBD hotel with Went.
‘Later the evening Went and the girls attended (a Brisbane CBD five-star hotel),’ Shephard said.
‘The two girls went to the room and you contacted the front desk to ask them to leave. It is not alleged the girls entered the room.’
Police executed a search warrant at McCann’s home on 8 July after receiving a referral from New South Wales authorities.
The matter was taken up by Queensland Police’s Task Force Argos, a unit specialising in child exploitation cases.
The prosecution opposed bail, citing McCann’s financial means, interstate residence, and risk to the community.
‘He lives in NSW. He is a flight risk. He has financial capacity from his previous employment,’ the prosecutor said.
The court heard McCann had since been dismissed from his job.
His barrister, David Jones, claimed the police affidavit relied on speculation and said McCann had no prior criminal record.
‘They are unprofessional. They lack complete objectivity...they speculate when there is nothing there. It goes so far as fortune-telling,’ Jones said.
Jones also argued that even if his client were convicted, a custodial sentence might not be imposed.
McCann agreed to relocate to Queensland and follow strict bail conditions, including an overnight curfew and the use of only one mobile phone with no encrypted apps.
Magistrate Shephard said the case against McCann appeared strong, but the risks could be managed through bail conditions.
Went, who was also charged, was granted bail on the same day.
Both cases are expected to return to court on 4 August.
Shocking allegations like those involving Christopher James McCann often leave entire communities reeling, especially when the accused holds a position of trust.
The emotional toll these cases take can be seen not just in courtrooms but in the reactions of those trying to report the news.
One particularly powerful moment unfolded on live television when a well-known presenter struggled to keep it together.
Read more: TV host breaks down on air as shocking scandal rocks community
When trusted figures face such serious accusations, the damage reaches far beyond a courtroom. Do you believe people accused of serious child exploitation offences should ever be released on bail?
A senior bank executive stood accused of attempting to exploit two teenage girls.
The girls were just 14 and 15 years old when he allegedly made the arrangement.
Despite the disturbing allegations, he was granted bail.
Christopher James McCann, 50, appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court on 14 July 2025 after being extradited from New South Wales.
The former Commonwealth Bank executive was charged with using the internet to procure children under the age of 16.
Police alleged that McCann had contacted 18-year-old Brisbane sex worker Shauntelle Elizabeth Went and asked if she had younger friends.
Former bank executive faces grooming charge. Image source: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
Magistrate Louise Shephard said McCann was accused of arranging to meet with Went and two underage girls at a luxury hotel in Brisbane.
‘You travelled interstate frequently. You formed some kind of connection with (Went). On May 14 police intercepted messages between you and she,’ Shephard said.
‘The allegation is you...queried her about whether she had younger friends that she worked with.’
Shephard said that on the night of the alleged offence, the two teenage girls arrived at the Brisbane CBD hotel with Went.
‘Later the evening Went and the girls attended (a Brisbane CBD five-star hotel),’ Shephard said.
‘The two girls went to the room and you contacted the front desk to ask them to leave. It is not alleged the girls entered the room.’
Police executed a search warrant at McCann’s home on 8 July after receiving a referral from New South Wales authorities.
The matter was taken up by Queensland Police’s Task Force Argos, a unit specialising in child exploitation cases.
The prosecution opposed bail, citing McCann’s financial means, interstate residence, and risk to the community.
‘He lives in NSW. He is a flight risk. He has financial capacity from his previous employment,’ the prosecutor said.
The court heard McCann had since been dismissed from his job.
His barrister, David Jones, claimed the police affidavit relied on speculation and said McCann had no prior criminal record.
‘They are unprofessional. They lack complete objectivity...they speculate when there is nothing there. It goes so far as fortune-telling,’ Jones said.
Jones also argued that even if his client were convicted, a custodial sentence might not be imposed.
McCann agreed to relocate to Queensland and follow strict bail conditions, including an overnight curfew and the use of only one mobile phone with no encrypted apps.
Magistrate Shephard said the case against McCann appeared strong, but the risks could be managed through bail conditions.
Went, who was also charged, was granted bail on the same day.
Both cases are expected to return to court on 4 August.
Shocking allegations like those involving Christopher James McCann often leave entire communities reeling, especially when the accused holds a position of trust.
The emotional toll these cases take can be seen not just in courtrooms but in the reactions of those trying to report the news.
One particularly powerful moment unfolded on live television when a well-known presenter struggled to keep it together.
Read more: TV host breaks down on air as shocking scandal rocks community
When trusted figures face such serious accusations, the damage reaches far beyond a courtroom. Do you believe people accused of serious child exploitation offences should ever be released on bail?
