Mannan Ul Haq, 29, has been charged with using a carriage service to procure a person under 16. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged child abuse.
Police say a man was caught at a hotel in Canberra after he allegedly made plans to travel to the ACT from NSW so he could sexually abuse a 14-year-old girl he met over social media.
Mannan Ul Haq, a 29-year-old from Cessnock, did not visibly react when told he would be remanded in custody on Friday (19 December).
Earlier, an ACT Policing spokesperson alleged he initiated contact with the girl through social media. It is alleged their conversations became sexualised despite his knowledge of her age.
He allegedly sent her sexually suggestive messages and images before he made plans to meet in Canberra.
But the girl reported the matter to police before they met and he was arrested at a Canberra hotel on the day of the allegedly arranged meeting.
“During a search of the man’s backpack police located a digital camera and a box of condoms,” the police spokesperson alleged.
Mr Haq faced the ACT Magistrate Court on Friday where he was charged with using a carriage service to procure a person under 16 and applied for bail, which was opposed by prosecutor Luke Fomiatti.
He said police had begun downloading the contents of Mr Haq’s mobile phone, but there were a number of stages to this process and they would not be complete until mid-January.
Mr Fomiatti was concerned the defendant could access the phone remotely if he was released from custody and delete evidence from it or online storage.
He said the girl was a child who valued her relationship with Mr Haq and there was a risk he could manipulate her.
Also, he said Mr Haq was not an Australian citizen and allegedly told the girl he was planning an extended trip to Pakistan, which is a country that has no formal extradition treaty with Australia.
Defence lawyer Edward Chen of Legal Aid said his client had no criminal history and argued the risks of his release could be easily mitigated.
For instance, when his client went home to Cessnock, he could get his passport and surrender it, then also report to a police station every day.
Magistrate James Lawton said the fact Mr Haq wasn’t cooperative with police when providing access to his phone supported the likelihood that he could interfere with evidence.
Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to 22 January 2026. No plea was entered.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732.
Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
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