Maroochydore man charged with using phone to film 40 people in homesBy Owen Jacques and Lottie TwyfordABC Sunshine CoastTopic:Crime3h ago3 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 12:34amLoading...In short:Sunshine Coast man Alex Francis Hammond, 32, is accused of taking photos and videos of people through their windows over a four-year period.The Maroochydore Magistrates Court has heard police found he had taken images of "naked children" as young as nine.What's next?Mr Hammond was refused bail and will return to court later this month. abc.net.au/news/man-allegedly-filmed-40-people-inside-homes-maroochydore/105267354Link copiedShareShare articleA man has been charged after allegedly secretly filming about 40 people, including children as young as nine, inside their homes on Queensland's Sunshine Coast over several years.Alex Francis Hammond, 32, was refused bail in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after police alleged he posed a "chronic risk of harm to the community".The court heard a police search in February allegedly uncovered hundreds of images and videos, including child exploitation material, at his Maroochydore home.Officers then allegedly found photos and videos of about 40 people filmed on his phone, mostly through windows in the "built-up" area of the Maroochydore CBD.Of those, police say 23 have now been identified, including four children.The recordings were allegedly made from late 2021 to February this year.The married, former night cleaner at the Sunshine Plaza was arrested on Wednesday on five counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, one count of indecent treatment of a child under 12, and stalking.He is also facing 29 charges of recording in breach of privacy.'Opportunistic' alleged offendingMr Hammond did not speak throughout the bail application and kept his head down with his arms and legs tightly folded.Mr Hammond was refused bail in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross)The police prosecutor said Mr Hammond had admitted during a police interview to being the sole owner and user of the phone that hosted the recordings.A duty lawyer appearing for Mr Hammond said he could comply with bail conditions.Magistrate Rodney Madsen characterised the alleged offending as "opportunistic" when refusing bail.Police work continuesSunshine Coast Criminal Investigations Branch Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant, Robert Lowry, said police were still working to identify 17 people captured in the videos and the exact number of alleged offences.Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Lowry says there are 17 people in photos and videos yet to be identified. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jake Kearnan)"That's very difficult, particularly when we don't know exactly who is involved as victims," he said.Detective Senior Sergeant Lowry acknowledged the allegations would be "confronting" for the community."I just want to ensure and impress that community safety is our priority and it is imperative that the investigation is conducted thoroughly," he said.Detective Senior Sergeant Lowry urged people to be aware of their surroundings, even inside their homes."Everyone has the right to enjoy the privacy of their own home," he said."However, I do want to impress on people that although they are in their own homes, they have to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to police."Mr Hammond will next appear in court on May 26.ABC Sunshine — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each WednesdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 3h ago3 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 12:34am, updated 46m ago46 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 3:45amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesTwo men found guilty of murdering Indigenous schoolboy Cassius TurveyTopic:HomicidePhoto shows Cassius Turvey Forever 15'Children at the grown-ups' table': Liberal insiders reveal a catastrophic campaignTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Backlit photo of a Dutton press conference, his silhouette centred in front of a microphone'Cooperative' Erin Patterson helped police find beef Wellington leftovers in bin, court hears LIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtAustralia's best sports rights in the hands of a Soviet-born, former oil tycoonTopic:Media IndustryMacquarie Bank's dodgy trading may be 'tip of the iceberg' for industryTopic:BankingPhoto shows The exterior of a Macquarie Bank building, fit with the company's white circular ring logoRelated storiesSunshine Coast man accused of secretly filming people in their homesTopic:PolicePhoto shows Outside the Maroochydore Court House. 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