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Magistrate's Son Committed to Trial on 129 Charges Including Child Sexual Offences

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Cooper Mitchell Bamberry Committed to Stand Trial on 129 Charges

The son of a Queensland magistrate faces a staggering array of charges, including rapes and 53 counts of indecent treatment of a child, after a closed-door hearing in Brisbane.

Cooper Mitchell Bamberry, 22, the son of Queensland magistrate Mark Bamberry, was committed to stand trial on 129 charges during a committal hearing at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Bamberry was remanded in custody following the hearing.

Court Proceedings

The committal hearing included testimony from a single witness who was granted special witness status and gave evidence via videolink. The court was closed to the public for 25 minutes during this testimony. The witness was not a child affected by the alleged offending.

Defence lawyer Adam Guest consented to committal after cross-examining that witness. Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney asked Bamberry if he wished to respond or enter a plea; Bamberry declined. No trial date has been set.

Charges

Bamberry faces a total of 129 charges, including:

  • Five counts of rape
  • Two counts of intercourse with a child
  • 53 counts of indecent treatment of a child
  • 45 counts of using the internet to procure a child under 16
  • Charges related to child exploitation material, including possession, distribution, and involvement in making such material
  • Carnal knowledge with children
  • Grooming a child
  • Unlawful stalking
  • Additional counts of sexual assault