On December 7, 2024, Blackley, 31, was detained during a police raid at his residence in Kippa Ring, located north of Brisbane.

Authorities allegedly discovered child exploitation materials at Blackley’s residence, involving two identified victims from southeast Queensland.

Police claimed an additional two alleged child victims were identified to be in the Philippines.

“The Queensland Police Service collaborated with the Australian Federal Police and the Philippine National Police to find and rescue two children, along with three others associated, from harmful circumstances,” according to a police report.

Five children, four girls and one boy, were rescued by Philippine authorities on February 20.

He has been in custody since his arrest and his solicitor, Kristie Koo, did not make an application for bail.

Magistrate Mark Bucknall heard prosecutors had prepared a brief of evidence for all charges and provided it to Koo.

“I want to know (by June 2025) whether it is to proceed by a registry committal, unless it already has, or otherwise how we progress it to committal and whether there will be cross-examination of any witnesses,” Bucknall said.

A registry committal allows a case involving serious charges to proceed to trial in the District or Supreme Court without the need for a committal hearing in the Magistrates Court to determine whether there is sufficient evidence.

Blackley was initially charged with three counts of possessing child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

In January he was charged with a further 24 alleged offences including six counts of supplying cannabis and methamphetamine, nine counts of child grooming or aiding procurement of a child and four counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 with impairment of the mind.

Bucknall adjourned the matter to May 29 and excused Blackley from personally appearing on that date.