Dion Adam Lingard charged with 116 child abuse offences
An alleged Sunshine Coast predator accused of targeting two young girls online has been charged with more than a 100 child abuse offences including rape and taking a child for immoral purposes.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Sunshine Coast man has been charged with 116 child abuse offences after police allegedly found evidence of him targeting minors online.
Police charged Dion Adam Lingard, 31, of Kulangoor, with 116 offences, following extensive investigations.
Detectives allege he actively targeted children online since August 2023 and procured and groomed a relationship with two young girls from the north coast region before he arranged to meet.
Child Protection Investigation Unit detectives executed a search warrant at a Sunshine Coast property in February, where the 31-year-old man was taken into custody.
He was charged with 116 offences including rape, stalking, taking a child for immoral purposes, indecent treatment of a child, possess child exploitation material, make child exploitation material, and supply dangerous drugs.
Lingard was refused police bail and was due to reappear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on March 18.
Detective Inspector Chris Toohey told media on Wednesday police were still combing through a plethora of “disturbing” material allegedly seized during the raid but believed there were no other victims.
The coast’s top cop preferred not to identify the platforms which Dion allegedly used but said parents needed to be aware of the risks in all sites, including chat forums and gaming sites.
“It’s horrible circumstances for us to get lessons from,” Inspector Toohey.
“The lessons we’re going to learn here is that we need to make sure we know what our children are looking at [and] who are they talking to.
“We need to constantly remind our children that stranger danger doesn’t just happen out on the streets, it happens inside the house and inside your rooms.”
Inspector Toohey said online platforms can be targeted by anyone, but predators were going to try find ways to meet children online.
“We’re outlining this man’s charges because we want parents to become more aware of the people their children can be exposed to online and the ways they interact with minors,” he said.
“Predatory behaviour is incredibly manipulative and can include scamming techniques.
“The CPIU encourages parents to work with their children on an agreed list of trusted people they can connect with on social media, and block users outside of that.”
Inspector Toohey said it was important parents knew the password or passcode to their children’s laptops, phones or other devices.
“CPIU suggests children should not take devices and headphones into bedrooms, bathrooms or behind closed doors,” he said.
“Please remind your children to never provide personal details like their home address or phone number to people online.
“We encourage children to listen to their instincts and tell a trusted adult if any conversation seems ‘creepy’ or makes them feel uncomfortable.”
More Coverage
Juror dismissed in retrial against former music store owner
A juror has been dismissed on the third day of a retrial against the former owner of a popular Sunshine Coast music store who has been accused of historical child abuse allegations.
Read more
Currimundi man charged after partner’s death under prison watch
A Currimundi man has been under close monitoring in custody as he faces court over a public nuisance charge, while separate serious allegations involving his late partner are still before another court.
Read more