Courts: Darwin man, 68, allegedly livestreamed horrific acts of child sexual abuse

A Darwin man who allegedly exploited six children as young as six in the Philippines, livestreaming horrific acts of sexual abuse, was found out during an airport baggage examination.

A Darwin man has faced court after allegedly exploiting six children in the Philippines by livestreaming sexual abuse online.

The 68-year-old man appeared in Darwin Local Court charged with allegedly directing the sexual abuse of young children, as he watched the crimes live on video from another location.

NT JACET, comprising members of Australian Federal Police and Northern Territory Police, started an investigation after Australian Border Force officers allegedly found child abuse material on his phone.

He had been selected for a bag check on his arrival in Darwin on New Year’s Day when his phone was checked as part of the search.

Police later found explicit videos and images of children, as well as video calls from the man to facilitators in the Philippines instructing them to livestream sexual abuse of children as young as six.

Investigators executed a search warrant on January 3 at Dinah Beach where the man had been living in a vehicle and yacht and made the arrest.

He first appeared in court on January 7 and was remanded in custody to reappear on May 27.

NT JACET provided information to AFP members in Manila, which led to an investigation by Philippines National Police (PNP).

Philippines authorities arrested two Philippine nationals and removed six children from harm in April.

NT Police arrest 68-year-old man who was allegedly involved in the live online abuse of children overseas.

The Darwin man has been charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia, two counts of sexual activity with a child outside Australia and one count of possessing child abuse material.

The defendant did not appear and was represented by his lawyer.

The prosecution requested an adjournment as they needed to obtain “outstanding material” which would be presented to the court.

The matter was adjourned to June 24 for a PEP.

AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said AFP said the protection of children is one of the AFP’s highest priorities.

“All victims of child sexual exploitation experience lifelong harm because of the selfish actions of their abusers,” Supt Davis said.

“The AFP will continue to work closely with local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect children from sickening abuse, and together identify offenders and bring them before the courts.” 

Philippine National Police Brigadier General Portia B Manalad said PNP and the AFP continued to collaborate on child exploitation cases to achieve results such as this.

“The PNP Women and Children Protection Centre will continue to locate alleged offenders and rescue victims with the assistance of our foreign partners,” Brigadier General Manalad said.

NT Police Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said the possession and distribution of child abuse material caused immeasurable harm to vulnerable children.

“Our team remains committed to pursuing offenders relentlessly and protecting the community against child exploitation,” he said.

ABF Commander Tracie Griffin said the arrest was a reminder that the vigilance of ABF officers at Australia’s border was absolutely critical in protecting the most vulnerable.

“I want to commend the work of the ABF officers involved in the alleged discovery of child abuse material on this man’s phone,” Commander Griffin said.

“Six children are safe because of their diligence and the work of our domestic and international law enforcement partners.”

Originally published as Courts: Darwin man, 68, allegedly livestreamed horrific acts of child sexual abuse