A man charged over an over an alleged child exploitation network in north Queensland had sought out single females with female children under the age of 10, a court has been told.
The 64-year-old was one of three people charged by Townsville police on Thursday following a three-month operation.
Police said they believed more than $50,000 had been exchanged in relation to the alleged offending.
The man's matter was mentioned in court and the accused did not enter an application for bail.
Townsville Magistrates Court was also told of allegations against a 38-year-old woman who has also been charged. The allegations involve the woman's nieces.
That woman's solicitor, Lisa McNamara, told the court the woman, who has a teenage son, had no criminal history and suffered a mild intellectual impairment.
While considering a bail application for the woman, Magistrate Steven Mosch said it had been suggested the 64-year-old man had allegedly been seeking out single females — with female children under the age of 10, or at least with access to them.
The man allegedly targeted the women, who might otherwise have a low socio-economic background, by providing financial payments to them in return for the exploitation of female children.
Police prosecutor Jordan Theed agreed the woman had been taken advantage of, but argued against the application for bail, raising concerns the woman would be able to "interfere" with witnesses in the case.
Magistrate Mosch said that, while there was no doubt the allegations involved "serious" and "deplorable" conduct, he would grant bail, with strict conditions, including preventing the woman from contacting her nieces or sister and that she not be left alone with anyone under the age of 18, except for her son.
Bail denied for other woman
A 41-year-old woman — who is facing charges of extortion and using a telecommunication service to facilitate the commission of a serious offence — did not appear in court but her lawyer did lodge a bail application.
The court was told the woman's young daughter had been removed from her care by child safety officers.
That woman's lawyer, Jake Burke, said his client had a limited criminal history and would accept strict bail conditions, including not contacting her child.
The court was told the woman had been released from the watchhouse previously but had, "essentially", immediately breached a police protection notice.
Mr Theed, who opposed the application, said the charges before the court were serious and described the case against the woman as "strong".
Magistrate Steven Mosch said there was an "unacceptable risk" of the woman committing further offending and her application for bail was refused.
All three will face court again in the coming months.
