Christopher Andrew Anderson: Geraldton business owner pleads guilty to pay phone harassment

A Geraldton business owner who used public payphones to sexually harass women across the country for almost 10 years has pleaded guilty to a range of charges. Christopher Andrew Anderson appeared via video link in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to 13 counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend. The charges relate to alleged incidents, which occurred as far back as 2013. The 58-year-old also pleaded guilty to one count each of possessing child exploitation material, obstructing police officers and cultivating a prohibited drug, two counts of possessing a prohibited drug and three counts of obscene acts in public. Anderson did not enter pleas for four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend. In applying for bail, his lawyer, Julie Gray revealed Anderson was a business owner who “needed to get his affairs in order” before his likely imprisonment. She told the court her client wished to start winding his business down, requiring him to meet with accountants, creditors and debtors, which was not possible behind bars. Acknowledging that public interest was a major issue, Ms Gray said her client would agree to a number of conditions including handing his passport in, being under supervision and reporting to police daily. Prosecutor Sen. Const. Dean Solman said the bail conditions could not provide the peace of mind the community needed, outlining the serious nature of the offences committed over several years and the angst caused. Sen. Const. Solman also said there were further charges pending relating to the possession of child exploitation material and use of payphones. Magistrate Angus Hockton disagreed, ordering a home detention report for Anderson, so that “balance could be appropriately met between your rights and the rights of the community.” Mr Hockton said it would allow authorities to know where Anderson was at all times as well as give him the opportunity to wrap up his business. The matter has been adjourned and Anderson will appear in court on July 14.