CFS volunteer Matthew Richard Gardiner rearrested on 56 new child grooming charges

A former CFS volunteer accused of grooming children online had less than one day of freedom after he was rearrested when police found dozens more victims, a court heard.

A former CFS volunteer and security guard has been slapped with 56 new child grooming charges and there could be even more victims, a court has heard.

Matthew Richard Gardiner was back in custody on Friday after further evidence came to light, only a day after being released on home detention bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Mr Gardiner, 32, was previously charged with 13 counts of procuring a child for sexual activity and possessing child exploitation material after allegedly spending months grooming the girl over Discord through the username “OzDude”, convincing her to share explicit photos and saying he wanted to impregnate her and be her “baby daddy”.

Matthew Gardiner has been hit with 56 new child grooming charges. Photo: File

“They found he was talking to 206 other people for sexual purposes … how many of those were between 14 and 16 years old is yet to be identified,” prosecutors said.

The girl, prosecutors allege, reported Mr Gardiner to the Kids Help Line after he tried to arrange an in-person meeting for sex.

They said the state’s elite Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team arrested Mr Gardiner, and then checked his mobile phone.

On Thursday, Magistrate Karim Soetratma granted Mr Gardiner home detention bail but banned him from using any social media applications or communicating with any person under the age of 18.

However, on Friday Mr Gardiner was rearrested by JACET on 56 new charges of communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity.

A duty solicitor told the court there would be no application for bail.

The court heard the new charges related to further evidence found on Mr Gardiner’s devices.

“Further investigations were done since yesterday and since that time, they’ve found 56 further victims at this stage,” the prosecutor said.

“There is potential that there’s still more to be found on that device.”

Mr Soetratma adjourned all Mr Gardiner’s charges together to the original February date for charge determination but noted it would be highly likely prosecution would request an adjournment.

Outside court, SA Police Special Crimes Investigation Section officer-in-charge Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Lyons said officers worked tirelessly to protect children.

“If you think you are safe because you’re using anonymising technologies, think again. We will use any tool available to find you and put you before the courts,” he said.

Police are urging anyone who has been impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, or who knows someone who has, to use the support services available at www.accce.gov.au/support.