A Melbourne woman on the run with her partner over child pornography charges tipped off police to their whereabouts after weeks of surviving on carp and baked beans, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Rebecca Michels, 25, fled after a raid on her Langwarrin home, during which police allegedly uncovered 76 photos showing her posing naked and semi-naked with a 10-year-old girl.
More than 40,000 child pornography images, including depictions of sadism, bestiality or humiliation, and about 400 videos were also found on computers in her home, police say.
Michels and her partner Craig Stanley, 28, are facing charges of making and possessing child pornography and committing an indecent act with a child under 16.
They fled to a remote bush campsite in Victoria after the police raid on their home in late October, avoiding capture for 21 days.
Michels was granted bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday, a fortnight after she secretly alerted police to their hide-out.
Detective Senior Constable Rosemary Ross told the court the couple were arrested near Dimboola, in Victoria's west, when unbeknown to Stanley, Michels approached a woman and begged her to call police.
The woman later told police a ''frantic and upset'' Michels said she felt ''emotionally trapped'' by Stanley, fearing he could harm himself.
Acting on the tip-off, police arrested Stanley at a Dimboola supermarket and Michels at their campsite on November 18.
Senior Constable Ross told the court several of the photos seized showed Michels, Stanley and two other adults sitting naked on a couch with the 10-year-old, who appeared to consider it a game.
''It does appear like they've engaged the child in a game, or having a bit of fun,'' she said.
Senior Constable Ross said some photos showed Michels ''laughing and she appeared to be a willing participant''.
Child porn images were also found on her personal laptop.
Crown prosecutor Luke Exell opposed bail, saying Michels' recent history proved she was a flight risk.
But James Trevallion, for Michels, said this was illogical given she had eventually turned the couple in.
Mr Trevallion also said there was nothing connecting Michels to a threatening letter sent to the manager of the Dimboola supermarket where Stanley was arrested.
A person claiming to be an outlaw motorbike gang member wrote to the manager labelling him a ''snitch'' and threatened to burn down the store.
Deputy chief magistrate Dan Muling granted Michels bail but warned her to comply with the strict conditions.
She will reside with her parents in Darwin, stay off the internet and report daily to a police station.
Her father, Ross McAdie, was also required to put up a bond of $100,000 equity in his home.
Michels is expected to be released from custody in coming days. AAP