When his case was called, Armidale Local Court was told Stephen John Austin-Faint “doesn’t wish to appear” via video link from prison where he has been since his arrest by Armidale detectives in February.

Two fresh charges of producing and possessing child abuse material were laid in court.

According to court documents, Austin-Faint is now accused of producing the child abuse material between January 1 and February 20 in Armidale.

He’s also facing one count of possessing child abuse material on February 20 in Armidale, as well as the initial charge of possessing child abuse material on February 18.

Legal Aid solicitor Wendy McAuliffe said her client was already facing a trial in Lismore District Court in June, and the Armidale matters could follow that case, depending on any pleas down the track.

Magistrate Michael Holmes ordered detectives to compile a brief of evidence and said the case would return to court in May.

“I refused him bail,” he said, examining the papers. 

“These matters should remain here, they’re Armidale matters.”

Ms McAuliffe said there was no new application for bail by Austin-Faint and it was formally refused.

Austin-Faint was arrested on February 20 by Armidale detectives who seized a mobile phone and a computer which will be forensically examined, as part of their investigation.

Following his arrest, the 46-year-old lodged a bid for bail detailing a myriad of health problems.

But the application was refused by Mr Holmes who said “he hadn’t shown cause” as to why his detention was not justified.

Mr Holmes said Austin-Faint had a “lengthy criminal history”, weak community ties to Armidale and the “nature of the offence is serious, it’s of a sexual nature”.