A man will face court today after being charged by Strike Force Trawler detectives over the alleged online grooming of a child for sexual activity.
In December 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from the Nepean region.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 10-year-old boy and engaged in sexually explicit conversations, which included indecent communications via webcam.
Following extensive inquiries, a 57-year-old man was arrested by Strike Force Trawler detectives at Penrith Police Station about 10.15am today.
Shortly after the arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at a home at Glenmore Park, where they seized various electronic devices.
The man was charged with ‘use carriage service to groom child under 16 years of age for sexual activity’.
He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today.
Inquiries are continuing.
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.
Anyone with information about internet predators should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
