An Illawarra cricket coach and casual primary school teacher has fronted court accused of performing sex acts in front of a teenage boy.
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Christopher Cranny was arrested at his Gwynneville home on Friday morning following a month-long investigation by child abuse squad detectives into child grooming allegations.
Cranny, who is heavily involved in Illawarra cricket as a senior coach and committee member with Wollongong District Cricket Club, is facing eight charges in total including child grooming and doing a sexual act with a child.
Police will allege Cranny exposed the teen to pornography and masturbated in the teen's presence between March and October 2019.
The teen disclosed the alleged behaviour to his mother in December and subsequently made a statement to police.
Cranny allegedly made partial admissions to some of the offences during an interview with detectives after his arrest.
He appeared in Wollongong Local Court late on Friday afternoon but did not enter a plea to the charges.
He instead sought release on bail, saying he would abide by any conditions the court saw fit to impose.
Defence lawyer Claire Carpenter said Cranny had no criminal history, had lived in the Illawarra all his life and was not a flight risk.
Police opposed Cranny's bail application, claiming the case against him was strong and he would likely receive a custodial sentence if convicted of the offences.
"He's told police he feels ashamed, is remorseful and has acknowledged he needs help," police prosecutor Sergeant Amelia Wall said.
"We submit he poses an unacceptable risk to the safety of the community in general."
However, Magistrate Brett Thomas found suitable bail conditions could be imposed to reduce any risk.
He ordered Cranny to report to police three times a week, live with his girlfriend at their Gwynneville address, and surrender his passport.
He also barred Cranny from being in the presence of, or contacting, any children under the age of 18, including on social media.
The condition means Cranny will no longer be able to run his own private business, Aspire Cricket Coaching, or work as a teacher.
The case returns to court on February 5.