Mark Dennis: Sydney barrister found dead after being charged over child abuse material

A prominent barrister charged with child abuse material offences has been found dead inside his Sydney home.

NSW Police confirmed Mark Dennis SC was found deceased at his inner west home about 7.30pm on Monday night.

His death comes just three weeks after he was arrested when he returned to Australia on a flight.

He was taken into custody at Sydney Airport after flying back from Cambodia, where he operates a charity for disadvantaged youth.

Australian Border Force officers intercepted Mr Dennis at Sydney International Airport and examined his luggage, after which he was charged with possessing child abuse material and two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material.

Police alleged material found on his phone included child abuse material and “sexualised conversations with and about minors”.

He was also charged with one count of intentionally importing prohibited goods.

Mr Dennis had not entered any pleas before being found dead and was due to next appear in court on March 18.

During a bail hearing last month, Commonwealth prosecutor Jon Kisch told the court the Australian Federal Police had located an image of a young boy described as being “aged six to 10 years”.

Mr Kisch said the online chats Mr Dennis was alleged to have participated in were “very disturbing”.

It was also alleged that Mr Dennis possessed one image of a young boy and engaged in “chats” about sexual activity involving young boys.

According to his Forbes Chambers profile, Mr Dennis began his legal career with the Western Aboriginal Legal Service in the 1990s, became an accredited criminal law specialist in 1997, and was admitted to the bar in 2001.

He was appointed senior counsel in 2018 and received the Terry Keaney Memorial Award in 2015 for his contribution to criminal law.

A well-known figure within Sydney’s legal community, Mr Dennis established a not-for-profit website for criminal lawyers and founded multiple charitable projects, including Reasonable Cause Inc, which supports educational programs for disadvantaged children in Cambodia.

“Mark has been visiting Cambodia yearly since 2006 and twice yearly since 2010,” an online profile for the charity states.

“He has been actively involved in philanthropy on behalf of disadvantaged young Cambodians since 2007 – first as a donor, then fundraiser, and later as Chairperson of another NGO. He continues to be an active fundraiser for Reasonable Cause Inc.”

Mr Dennis was granted bail on January 21 under strict conditions, including that he report to police five days a week, surrender his passport and not enter any airport or international point of departure.

He was seen leaving Surry Hills Police Station after being granted bail.

NSW Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028.

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.