Jeremy Thomas, 31, was yesterday denied bail in Bendigo Magistrates Court.

He has been charged with abducting a child under 16 to sexually penetrate, causing a child under 16 to be abducted, child stealing, indecent act with a child under 16 and indecent assault.

Magistrate Gregory McNamara heard Thomas struck up a conversation with the intellectually disabled girl on Facebook on August 2.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Dave Somerton opposed bail and said the victim repeatedly advised Thomas that she was only 14-years-old.

“Following further discussions arrangements were made where he would collect her from her home and take her to Bendigo to live with him,” he said.

“On August 12, Thomas caught a train and then a taxi to the girl’s house. He then left with the girl and travelled to Geelong and onto Southern Cross station.

“He then planned to travel to Bendigo and had paid the victim’s fare.

It is alleged that Thomas sexually assaulted the girl on the journey.

Leading Senior Constable Somerton said police found Thomas and girl at Southern Cross Station.

“He was arrested and stated his intention was to take her back to Bendigo and have sex with her,” he said.

The court heard police found four mobile phones at Thomas’s house with one phone showing significant planning going into the alleged abduction.

“The accused saved the victim’s number under baby girl,” Leading Senior Constable Somerton said.

“He also sent a text message to a third party stating ‘her mum has just gone to work time for the big move’.

“When interviewed by police he indicated he thought the victim was 17 and was of that belief until he met her.”

Leading Senior Constable Somerton said Thomas admitted to sexually assaulting the girl.

“(He) was aware the mother had not given her permission to leave,” the prosecutor said.

“He thought it was love and further to that he knew what he was doing was wrong. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare; if he is left to his own devices, who knows what is going to happen.”

Defence lawyer Luke Docherty said if granted bail Thomas could live with his sister.

He said he has a low IQ and was on a disability support pension.

“The victim added him as a friend,” he said.

“It wasn’t him grooving her - it was a two-way street, when he arrived she had her bags packed.

“He is being painted as predatory creature who goes out and hunts this girl - it’s not correct.”

Magistrate McNamara said Thomas had a very low IQ and needed to be treated differently.

“He is supported by family and has no prior convictions,” he said.

“I have formed the view that he is an unacceptable risk given these type of offences have consequences that can be so severe.”

Thomas was remanded to appear in Geelong Magistrates Court on November 18.