70 year old foreign national charged for alleged child exploitation remanded

70 year old Douglas John Mackenzie a foreign national charged for alleged child exploitation has been remanded in custody.

He sought bail as he stated that he is not a danger to the public.

Mackenzie also stated that his appeal is pending in Immigration.

The prosecution objected to bail and requested for Mackenzie to be remanded in custody for 14 days for investigation in other similar cases.

The matter has been adjourned until Tuesday for bail hearing.

He is alleged to have committed child exploitation offences involving two victims aged 13 and 14 on three different occasions in January, April and May this year.

In January, he is alleged to have performed a sexual act in front of the 13 year old boy.

In the second incident reported earlier this month, he is accused of sexually assaulting the 13 year old boy in his home.

Police say the boy had accompanied the accused on a rafting trip, after which they returned to his Sigatoka home.

They say after dinner, the boy said he felt unwell and wanted to rest.

Police add the boy reported that later the same night, that the accused is alleged to have sexually assaulted him.

The accused is also alleged to have during the Easter weekend, indecently insulted the second victim, a 14-year old boy by depicting a sexual act using adult toys. He has been charged with one count of sexual assault and two counts of indecently insulting or annoying a person.