Updated ,first published
A prominent Sydney barrister has been charged after the Australian Federal Police allegedly found child abuse material on his phone when he returned from a trip to South-East Asia, where he runs a charity for disadvantaged youngsters.
Mark Dennis SC was arrested after returning to Sydney on a flight from Cambodia on Tuesday.
Officers from the AFP and Australian Border Force searched Dennis’ luggage and allegedly found child abuse material on his phones.
“During an examination of the man’s mobile phone, ABF officers located suspected child abuse material. The matter was reported to the AFP for further investigation,” a statement from the agencies reads.
“AFP members attended and on further examination of the device, identified alleged child abuse material and sexualised conversations with and about minors.”
Electronic devices were seized from his luggage and a search warrant was executed at his home in Leichhardt.
“Following further inquiries, AFP investigators, assisted by AFP Canine, Digital Forensics, and ABF Investigators, executed a search warrant at a home at Leichhardt, where further electronic devices underwent forensic examination,” the AFP said.
The 60-year-old is a high-profile figure in Australia’s legal fraternity. He was the principal solicitor of the Western Aboriginal Legal Service, and won the prestigious Terry Keaney Memorial Award among other accolades.
Dennis is also highly active in charities and non-profits in both Australia and Cambodia, where his philanthropy has been directed towards children and young people.
He co-founded Reasonable Cause in 2020 to help disadvantaged young people with scholarships and literacy in the impoverished Cambodian regions. He visits the country twice every year, according to an online profile.
Federal investigators are not examining his actions abroad.
Dennis was charged with possessing, distributing and importing child abuse material.
His matter was briefly mentioned in bail court on Wednesday, where it was revealed multiple magistrates know Dennis and asked for an acting interstate magistrate to handle the case when it returns later in the day.
Reasonable Cause hosts a conference each year for legal experts to hear from the most esteemed minds in their field. The conference directs all of its profits, close to $100,000 a year, to the Cambodian charity.
This year three magistrates were expected to speak followed by barristers, politicians and public figures.
Dennis himself was expecting to give the final lecture on “Calling Bullshit on the Ten Commandments of Cross-Examination”.
Dennis writes extensively on criminal matters under the moniker “Dark Menace”, a play on his own name. His most recent paper, in November 2025, instructs barristers how to conduct cross-examination, including in child abuse cases.
“Criminal trials are like pop music – every song has an underlying emotion (albeit sometimes a very simple emotion),” Dennis wrote.
“An allegation of child sexual assault brings forth the emotion that child sexual assault is a putrid crime committed by deeply evil people.”
Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028, Lifeline 13 11 14, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
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