Justin Arie Bourbon: Denmark man accused of child sex offences denied bail in Albany Magistrates Court

A Denmark man accused of supplying a child with LSD, cocaine and ecstasy in exchange for sex has been denied bail. Justin Arie Bourbon appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from Albany Regional Prison on 25 charges, including 11 counts of sexually penetrating a child over 13 and under 16. He also faces charges of impeding another person’s breathing, wilfully destroying evidence, and 10 counts of supplying or selling prohibited drugs, including LSD, cocaine, and ecstasy. The 25-year-old is accused of persistently engaging in sexual conduct with a child and supplying her with drugs in exchange, including twice buying her the morning-after pill under a false name. The alleged offending began in February and escalated with the accused allegedly sexually penetrating the child five times in the same day on March 27, two days after he is accused of impeding her breathing. On May 13, Mr Bourbon allegedly gave a mobile phone to police with a PIN code that wiped the phone to its factory settings, allegedly destroying evidence. The following day, he appeared in Albany Magistrates Court for a first hearing on the charges from custody, where he has remained since. On Thursday, his bail application was opposed by the prosecution with Sgt Dylan Fisher noting the seriousness of the offences, the prosecution’s strong case, and the complainant’s fear of the accused. “Some of the offences do go towards a more violent aspect in not particularly getting his own way,” Sgt Fisher said. “Impeded breathing is a serious offence; the fact that it’s done to a child under 16 just adds another element to that.” Mr Bourbon — who faces a lengthy sentence if convicted — represented himself in the appearance with Magistrate Erin O’Donnell stopping frequently to explain the court process to him. He told the court he is a “non-violent person” and that the offences of which he has been accused are “very out of my character”. Ms O’Donnell said she was mindful that the accused was making the bail application himself without the assistance of counsel, but proceeded on the basis that he seemed “quite articulate” and understood the terms of the application. While noting he seemed to have “no history whatsoever”, was “on the cusp of having youth as a mitigating factor” and had “good character”, she stressed that the matters were “so serious that bail is not appropriate”. Bail was refused and Ms O’Donnell strongly urged him to secure legal representation before his next appearance. “It would be unwise of you to continue very much longer without someone assisting you,” she said. Mr Bourbon will next appear in Albany Magistrates Court for a committal mention on August 14.