SA JACET says two girls allegedly abused by Andrew Donald Steele rescued from sexual slavery by international investigation
Two girls have been freed from alleged child sexual slavery in the Philippines - and SA’s elite police now allege an Adelaide man paid to participate in their abuse both online and in person.
Police & Courts
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Two young girls have been rescued from alleged sexual slavery in the Philippines following investigations into an Adelaide man by SA’s elite child-rescuing police team.
The Advertiser can reveal the children are the alleged victims of Andrew Donald Steele, who faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with exploitation crimes.
Mr Steele, prosecutors have previously alleged, paid international pedophiles almost $50,000 over six years to abuse little girls while he watched and directed their crimes via the internet.
They further alleged the offending was so “intense and severe” that his victims were abused as frequently as 300 times in just 24 days.
On Wednesday, they told the court more charges would soon be laid - alleging Mr Steele had travelled overseas and physically abused his victims in person.
Outside court, the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team said that, after arresting Mr Steele in May, it consulted with AFP international Liaison Officers in Manila.
The matter was referred to the Philippines Internet Crimes Against Children Center, which identified two of the alleged victims on the island of Bohol.
The girls were removed from harm and placed into the care of child protection services.
AFP Sergeant Joe Barry said this case highlighted the strength of the AFP’s national and international network and the commitment of all agencies to protect children around the world.
“The ability to share intelligence and resources with international partners is vital so that law enforcement can target and arrest those who prey on children,” Sgt Barry said.
“Child sexual abuse is an abhorrent crime and victims are re-victimised every time images or videos of the crimes are accessed and shared.”
AFP Manila Liaison Officer Detective Sergeant Daisie Beckensall said international partnerships are critical in fighting online child exploitation.
“The close partnerships between the AFP Manila office and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti Human Trafficking Division during this investigation highlights the importance of working together to remove children from harm.”
NBI Attorney Catherine Nolsasco said the arrest of the man in Australia and the removal of the alleged victims in the Philippines is a demonstration of how law enforcement authorities collaborate.
“The NBI, with its strong partnership with the AFP, will continue to be relentless in fighting online sexual exploitation of children.”
ABF Inspector Mel Duncan said officers can examine passenger’s electronic devices at the border as part of their role to detect and disrupt illegal activity, which includes the storage and dissemination of child abuse material.
“While we of course wish our officers never had to come across this type of abhorrent material, it is results like this that underline the critical importance of our role in carefully inspecting digital devices at the border,” Inspector Duncan said.
“Through the use of sharp intelligence, targeting and profiling techniques, ABF officers helped trigger an investigation that has removed two vulnerable children from harm’s way.”
Mr Steele, 65, of Yankalilla, has yet to plead to nine offences that carry a maximum 30-year prison term.
He is charged with one count each of persistently sexually exploiting a child outside of Australia, transmitting and producing exploitation material, and importing prohibited goods.
He is further charged with five counts of possessing or controlling child exploitation material.
It is alleged that, when passing through customs at Adelaide Airport in May 2023, Border Force officers found exploitation material on Mr Steele’s phone.
His arrest triggered further investigation by JACET, which allegedly found six electronic devices containing exploitation material throughout Mr Steele’s home.
On Wednesday, prosecutors asked Mr Steele’s case be postponed for a longer period than normal.
“There has been further disclosure including disclosure of contact offending oferseas,” they said.
“That’s going to take some time to assess.”
Magistrate Karim Soetratma remanded Mr Steele in custody to answer the charges in Feburary.
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