A former Commonwealth Bank executive accused of grooming underage girls for sex in a Brisbane hotel room has been found dead.
Christopher James McCann, 50, appeared in a Brisbane court on Monday, charged with one count of using the internet to procure children aged under 16.
The Sydney-based bank executive was extradited to Queensland last week after being arrested by NSW Police.
He was found dead at Springbrook in the Gold Coast hinterland on Wednesday afternoon – just two days after he was granted bail on strict conditions.
Queensland Police Service are not treating McCann’s death as suspicious.
‘A report will be prepared for the Coroner following the non-suspicious death of a man at Springbrook yesterday,’ a spokeswoman said in a statement.
McCann described himself online as a corporate finance executive with more than 20 years of experience. He had no prior criminal record.
A court heard on Monday that McCann was accused of a ‘terribly serious offence’ by allegedly engaging Brisbane sex worker Shauntelle Elizabeth Went, 18, to supply the services of two girls aged 14 or 15 while staying at Brisbane’s Sofitel Hotel in May.
Christopher James McCann left Brisbane Watch House on Monday after being granted bail. He was found dead two days later
Christopher James McCann, 50, (pictured) was extradited from Sydney to Brisbane after being charged with using the internet to procure underage girls for sex
‘You travelled interstate frequently. You formed some kind of connection with (Went). On May 14 police intercepted messages between you and she,’ Magistrate Louise Shephard told McCann.
‘The allegation is you … queried her about whether she had younger friends that she worked with.’
McCann stood in the dock looking either down or straight ahead during his appearance.
Ms Shephard said McCann was accused of making an arrangement and agreeing on price to use Went’s services alongside two underage girls.
‘Later the evening Went and the girls attended (a Brisbane CBD five-star hotel),’ Ms 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.
‘The matter was referred by NSW Police to Task Force Argos (Queensland Police child exploitation unit) and on July 8 they executed a search warrant on your home.’
A prosecutor opposed bail, citing fears McCann could offend while out on bail and the risk to the welfare of the community.
He allegedly engaged with Brisbane sex worker Shauntelle Elizabeth Went (pictured) to supply the services of two girls aged 14 or 15
‘He lives in NSW. He is a flight risk. He has financial capacity from his previous employment,’ the prosecutor said.
Magistrate Shephard noted that McCann’s employment had been terminated.
She bailed McCann on strict conditions, which included an overnight curfew and being limited to one mobile phone with no encrypted applications.
He was also ordered to remain in Queensland during the court proceedings.
McCann was due to reappear in court on August 4.
Went was also granted bail on Monday to reappear on the same date.
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Shauntelle Elizabeth Went will reappear in court on August 4
