By PAUL SHAPIRO, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
Published: | Updated:
A suspected sex tourist who was rushed from court in an ambulance after learning the Daily Mail would be reporting on his alleged offending has just been hit with even more charges.
Robert Andrew McPherson, 63, of Henty in New South Wales, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday to answer multiple serious child sex allegations.
It is alleged that McPherson engaged in sexual intercourse with a child during a trip to Malaysia and also produced and possessed child abuse material.
McPherson had been facing 62 child sex crimes when he last fronted court in July – but on Friday the court was told that a further 71 charges were laid by federal authorities.
McPherson now faces a total of 133 offences.
His defence team is pushing for the fresh accusations to be heard alongside the previous charges.
Police claim McPherson went abroad late last year for a suspected ‘sex tourism’ holiday and sexually abused a child in Kuala Lumpur on multiple occasions in November.
Investigators also claim he produced child abuse material several times during the same visit.
Robert Andrew McPherson, 63, of Henty in New South Wales, left a Melbourne court on a stretcher in July after he was charged with child sex offences
McPherson collapsed in court seconds after a media application was approved
McPherson now faces 133 sex crime charges
He was arrested at Melbourne Airport on November 26 allegedly in possession of child abuse material before being referred to the Australian Federal Police, which immediately laid charges.
A broader AFP investigation then uncovered what authorities claim was a prolonged pattern of child sex offending.
McPherson is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a child based overseas on at least 18 separate dates while he was home in Henty, and on another date while staying in Frankston, Melbourne.
Further charges include multiple counts of transmitting and accessing child abuse material.
McPherson was initially charged with a single offence before Australian Federal Police laid a further 61 serious charges against him in February.
McPherson suffered a panic attack upon learning that his case would be featured in the press
McPherson was wheeled out of court in July
During the last court hearing, McPherson’s lawyer argued a ‘stack of material’ was still to be analysed and there would be ‘more to come’ while seeking a lengthy adjournment.
The Daily Mail’s media application at the previous court date to access the charge sheets was granted unopposed.
The real drama, however, erupted moments later – when a loud thud reverberated through the courtroom as McPherson suddenly collapsed, clutching his chest.
His lawyer called out to the magistrate for help, while paramedics were summoned and McPherson was wheeled out on a trolley to a waiting ambulance.
He attempted to shield his face from photographers with an oxygen mask.
It is understood that he suffered a panic attack.
McPherson, still covering his face, was later seen being taken to hospital while his legal team confirmed that more evidence was expected.
The accused was able to walk out of court on Friday with his bail extended to appear again at a later date.
