A western Sydney man has been charged with online grooming offences following an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Investigation Unit (CEIU).
In July 2021, investigators from the CEIU’s Strike Force Trawler began engaging online with a man from Glenmore Park in Sydney’s west.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform with the child.
Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force Trawler detectives arrested a 37-year-old man at a home Glenmore Park about 6.40pm yesterday, Thursday, February 10.
Detectives subsequently executed a search warrant at the home and at a business at South Penrith, where they seized electronic items, which will be subject to further extensive examination.
The Glenmore Park man was taken to St Marys Police Station and charged with two counts of ‘use carriage service to send indecent material to person under 16’ and ‘use carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex’.
He was refused bail and is due to appear at Penrith Local Court later today, Friday, February 11.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, said the arrest should serve as a warning to anyone participating in online grooming.
“Police will allege in court that this man believed he could engage in sexual activity with a 14-year-old child,” Det A/Supt Arbinja said.
“Our priority is to protect children from online predators, and we will continue to do everything in our power to track them down.
“This is also another reminder for parents and carers to be aware of what their children are doing on the internet and especially who they are speaking with,” Det A/Supt Arbinja said.
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 Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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