The lawyer representing a man accused of kidnapping and indecently treating a seven-year-old girl says his client has been the target of serious threats, both via social media and in prison.
Police have alleged that Sterling Free, 26, took the child from the Westfield North Lakes shopping centre, north of Brisbane, on Saturday, December 8.
It is believed the girl was abducted from Kmart.
The ABC understands the girl was taken to Pumicestone Passage — about 30 minutes' drive away — before she was returned to the store.
Mr Free was charged with taking a child for immoral purposes, deprivation of liberty and indecent treatment of a child under 12.
Solicitor Shaune Irving said since the charges were laid, his client had received a barrage of threats, mostly via social media.
"A lot of the threats you would consider to be somewhat of a bravado stance by people who don't understand what is occurring," Mr Irving said.
"It's very important that people understand that whilst he is charged with a serious offence, he still has the right to a fair trial and he also has the right to feel safe and not fear any sort of retribution or retaliatory behaviour from the public.
"There were some threats made internally [at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Brisbane], however the prison has responded well to that and they're dealing with that internally, and making sure that my client is safe."
Mr Irving said he was preparing a bail application to be filed by the end of this week.
Last week, presiding Magistrate Trevor Morgan closed the court to the public while proceedings were underway, describing the case as "exceptional" and citing public morality.
Mr Irving said he supported the Magistrate's decision.
"It's a very unique matter — the brief of evidence still needs to be disclosed … it's very early in the proceedings for people to be making judgment calls."
He said it was too soon to determine whether his client would contest the charges.
"It's still very early in the proceedings — Mr Free was only charged last week and some of these matters can take some significant amount of time to get before the relevant court," he said.
