Border Force and federal police authorities conducted a search of his luggage, leading to the discovery of a troubling image of a boy on his phone. Additionally, explicit conversations involving and discussing minors were uncovered.

Commonwealth prosecutor John Kisch argued against his release, highlighting the 60-year-old man’s involvement in discussions with at least two others that depicted disturbing sexual scenarios involving minors.

“There is a mention of a potential desire to assault a 16-year-old,” Kisch stated, acknowledging the unsettling nature of these conversations despite the lack of further action.

The prosecutor emphasized that these chats indicated Dennis harbored a sexual interest in children. This raised concerns about the possibility of him accessing and erasing more evidence if he were to be granted bail.

Kisch noted that there were indications some files had already been deleted or removed from a Dropbox account associated with a dozen devices, suggesting previous tampering with evidence.

It appeared some evidence had already been deleted or removed from a Dropbox linked to at least 12 devices, Kisch added.

But Dennis, who wore a grey jumper and handcuffs, had not been accused of sending the low-resolution image of the boy to others or sending or receiving other child-abuse images, his lawyer said.

While he accepted there were “clearly unsavoury things” in the conversations, there was a real question as to whether that met the definition of the alleged crimes, barrister Michael Burke said.

He argued Dennis was not a flight risk and any concern about interfering with evidence could be counteracted by an order prohibiting him from using the internet.

He was not required to plead to the charges of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained using a carriage service, transmitting such material and a related import offence.

A magistrate approved Dennis’s release with onerous bail conditions, which bar him from being in the company of a minor without supervision or using the internet, except to talk to his lawyer or do banking.

He cannot contact people aged under 16 or enter any school or childcare facility.

A member of the prestigious Forbes Chambers, Dennis had ceased practice as a barrister for the foreseeable future, the court heard.

Dennis was admitted as a lawyer in 1991 and was the principal solicitor of the Western NSW Aboriginal Legal Service.

In 2015, he was awarded the Terry Keaney Memorial Award for excellence in his profession.

The 60-year-old is the co-founder and chair of charity Responsible People, which focuses on helping disadvantaged Cambodian youths advance their education.

His case will return to court in March.

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