Christopher Andrew Anderson: Geraldton man who used payphone to harass women granted home detention bail

A Geraldton business owner who used public payphones to sexually harass women across the country for almost 10 years has been granted home detention bail ahead of his sentencing. Under his bail conditions, he will be able to leave his home but only if he alerts authorities when he does so. Christopher Andrew Anderson appeared via video link in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday to hear the outcome of his bail application and face two new charges of pursues another to intimidate and possession of indecent material. Police prosecutor Sen. Const. Beau Jones alleged on June 15 in the West End, Anderson was found to possess or copy an indecent or obscene article. While they also allege Anderson pursued another to intimidate from January 2013 to May 2022. He has not pleaded to the new charges yet. The 58-year-old pleaded guilty to 13 counts of using a carriage service to harass and a range of other charges last week including possessing child exploitation material, obstructing police officers, cultivating a prohibited drug, possessing a prohibited drug and obscene acts in public. Anderson’s lawyer, Julie Gray, made an application for bail citing her client’s need to wind down his business and a home detention report was ordered. After considering the report, Magistrate Angus Hockton said he was minded to grant bail. “He is effectively getting his affairs in order before the inevitable happens,” he said. “You’ve got your business you need to sell and meaningful strategies to achieve your compliance.” Mr Hockton said he was confident the bail conditions put in place would minimise any risk of reoffending. Under those conditions, home detention monitoring equipment is to be installed, he is not to consume alcohol, must present for breath analysis and drug tests and his internet devices must be made available for police inspection. Mr Hockton acknowledged Anderson would need to conduct work which may require him to leave his home. However, he reminded him of his obligation to arrange this with community corrections in advance. “You have to be at home every day, all day unless you advise community corrections otherwise,” he said. Anderson will appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on September 5.