Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged a man from the Hunter Valley following an investigation into the alleged online grooming of a child.
In May, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Kurri Kurri.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts he wished to perform with the child and sent her explicit material.
At about 9.40am today (Wednesday 1 July), following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators arrested a 47-year-old man at a caravan park in Singleton.
The man was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with use carriage service to solicit child abuse material and use carriage service to groom child under 16 years for sex.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
