CONFESSED child sex offender Maurice Van Ryn has been taken into custody after his bail was revoked by a District Court judge.
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Last month Van Ryn pleaded guilty to 12 child sex offences related to attacks on six boys aged eight to 16 at Tathra between 2006 and 2014.
In a decision that brought an angry reaction from some in the community at the time, Bega Local Magistrate Doug Dick then granted the 59-year-old bail under strict conditions.
However, on Wednesday, acting District Court Judge Rodney Madgwick revoked bail following an appeal by the NSW Director Public Prosecutions.
"There is a sense that reasonable people in the community may feel something is amiss about a man who acknowledges he's guilty and who faces the certainty of a long period of imprisonment, continuing to be abroad in the community," Judge Madgwick said.
The judge accepted the dual arguments put forward by prosecutors, that Van Ryn's wealth made him an unacceptable risk of flight, and that the lengthy and predatory nature of his offending made him a risk to the community.
Of particular concern was the fact that while on bail in June after being charged with one offence, Van Ryn allegedly molested one of his victims during a driving lesson.
Judge Madgwick had previously indicated that these risks could be mitigated if Van Ryn wore an electronic tracking bracelet 24 hours a day, and if his wife and elderly mother agreed to provide sureties to the value of $700,000.
He also acknowledged that the 59-year-old was taking testosterone suppressant medication – known as "chemical castration".
However, after South Coast police indicated they were not equipped to monitor the accused's movements, Judge Madgwick found that the risks could not be mitigated.
"Bail is frequently granted to persons awaiting sentence after acknowledging their guilt…usually when there are very strong humanitarian reasons," Judge Madgwick said.
"The offender cannot rely on any such matter that appeals to one's sense of humanity.
"Conditions have not been formulated that in my mind would reduce the risk and in the circumstances I propose to refuse bail."
Van Ryn showed little emotion as he was taken away by correction officers, giving a resigned smile to his legal team before going down to the cells.
He will return to court on February 2 for sentencing.
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