Ben McCormack ‘too sick’ for court appearance

A Current Affair reporter Ben McCormack has missed his first scheduled court appearance this morning, remaining in hospital a month after being charged with child pornography.

McCormack’s lawyer Sam Macedone appeared on his behalf and presented a medical certificate to the judge at the Downing Centre Local Court, reports The Daily Telegraph.

The senior reporter has not yet entered a plea to the charge and remains out on bail.

His lawyer asked that he be excused from reporting regularly to police while he is in hospital.

“My client is not present today he is still in hospital,” Mr Macedone told the court.

McCormack was hospitalised last month after being arrested and charged with child pornography.

Police raided the senior reporter’s office at Channel Nine in Sydney as well as seizing computers and devices from his home.

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The reason for McCormack’s hospitalisation is yet to be disclosed, with his lawyer previously saying he didn’t expect him to be released anytime soon.

“I don’t know what he is being assessed for but I understand he will be there for while,” Macedone told The Daily Telegraph.

“I need to vary some bail reporting conditions because of his impending stay in hospital — but I don’t know what exactly it is about,” he said.

What are your thoughts on the case?