Christopher Donald Trindall No Bail for Truck Driver witih Child Pornograhy

CHRISTOPHER Donald Trindall, a 29-year-old former truck driver from Coonabarabran, was refused bail on child pornography charges in Tamworth Local Court yesterday.

Trindall, who was arrested in Tamworth on Saturday after travelling to the city with a pregnant family member, is yet to enter a plea on two counts of disseminating/producing child pornography.

He was one of six men from regional NSW and Victoria who were arrested as a result of a covert 11 month police operation in eight separate raids involving 69 officers on Saturday and Sunday. Other members of the alleged child porn ring include two teachers and a former police officer.

Yesterday’s court hearing was told Trindall was unemployed and that he was the primary carer for his grandmother “who is in need of care” and with whom he has lived since he was a teenager. Trindall’s mother attended yesterday’s court hearing.

His solicitor, Mark Daley – who had been engaged through the Aboriginal Legal Service – told Magistrate Swain Trindall was prepared to comply with any bail conditions she chose to set, no matter how severe.

Magistrate Swain denied the application, saying the prosecution had presented a strong case and that she was concerned “about further offences should bail be granted”.

Mr Daley told the court his client had had a “troubled life”.

He said Trindall had travelled to Tamworth on Saturday as his sister – who was just about to give birth – needed to come to the hospital. Trindall was the only “available” member of his immediate family with a driver’s licence.

Police told the court bail should be denied.

It was alleged the two offences had occurred in Coonabarabran on December 1 between 5.15pm and 6pm.

Trindall was arrested at 12.20pm on Saturday before being charged at Tamworth Police Station.

Trindall, a heavily built, tall, dark-haired man, remained silent throughout the majority of the short hearing.

Magistrate Swain ordered that he appear before the Coonabarabran Local Court on January 21 for either plea or mention.

Trindall is to remain in custody until that appearance.

Commander Kevin Zuccato, from the Australian Federal Police Hi-Tech Crime Operations, has said he was “very hopeful” the child porn operation, codenamed Strike Force Pymont, would now lead to overseas arrests.