ALLEGED child sex offender and former local teacher, Thomas McKeown, has had his committal hearing adjourned for two months following a tense court appearance on Tuesday, April 22.
This two-month adjournment was granted in the Broken Hill Local Court by Magistrate Ian McRae on Tuesday, meaning the committal is now set for Tuesday, June 17.
Mr McKeown was yet again excused from appearing in court and was instead represented by defence lawyer Rameen Sheranzey, a fresh face for the case from LY Lawyers; the firm’s founder and principal lawyer Adam Ly has typically represented the alleged paedophile in recent court appearances.
The hearing began with a solicitor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) requesting a two month adjournment citing the case’s size, uniqueness and complexity as the reason.
The ODPP solicitor explained the basics of the case to Magistrate McRae, since he is not the presiding Magistrate and was not familiar with it, stating that “our case is very strong.”
“The brief is enormous, your honour,” the ODPP solicitor said.
Magistrate McRae asked what was outstanding from the brief and referred to presiding Magistrate Jacqueline Trad – who was away on Tuesday – and her directions to the prosecutor given at Mr McKeown’s last appearance in court.
His last court appearance was on Tuesday, March, 25, where Magistrate Trad pointed out that the six month mark had already passed, hence the urgency to deliver the brief by Tuesday, April 22.
Six months is typically the longest amount of time a case usually can be adjourned for and would usually have to be relisted after that amount of time – unless the Magistrate believes it to be in the favor of justice to grant an extended adjournment.
By the time the committal takes place on June 17 it will be three months since the six month mark passed.
The ODPP confirmed that outstanding materials for the brief are extensive, including interviews, further victim statements and interview observations.
Stating that an adjournment is the best choice in the favor of justice, with the only other option being to discharge the charges and relist.
Mr Sheranzey was not in support of the two month adjournment, referring to a murder trial in the Supreme Court which had much more evidence in its brief and was granted a two-week adjournment to finalise.
“Police have had an abundant amount of time since September to bring this brief together,” Mr Sheranzey said.
“My honour, you’d have knowledge of much more complex cases.
“The six month rule is there for a reason.
“It is my respectful submission that if we are to overlook this rule, we are ignoring what it was intended for – the Magistrate must dismiss this in the interest of justice.”
The court was noticeably tense as Magistrate McRae sat quietly reading the case’s paperwork before he delivered his decision.
“It seems to me from a practical point of view, in the name of justice, for the extension to take place,” Magistrate McRae said.
Mr Sheranzey then asked for the reason as to why the adjournment extension had been granted.
“The age and perceived difficulties of dealing with complaintives of such a tender age,” Magistrate McRae said.
Mr McKeown was first charged in September last year, with the allegations beginning in July 2024.
Since September the charge list has grown from eight alleged charges to 41, most with accompanying Apprehended Violence Orders.
He has been on bail since September and remains on bail, despite breaching his conditions last year.
