David Grinzi charged with grooming child for sex

A man arrested in an undercover police sting last month has been named, after his charges was heard in court for the first time including allegations he groomed a child for sex online.

The man arrested in an undercover police sting has been named after his case was heard in court for the first time, including allegations he discussed “oral sex and masturbation” with a child before allegedly going to meet them at a Brisbane shopping precinct.

David Grinzi, a 38-year-old Paddington man, was arrested by officers from Taskforce Argos – the police service’s specialist online child exploitation unit – on October 31 at The Barracks shopping centre on Petrie Terrace in Brisbane City.

Police allege he organised to groom a child for sex and attended the precinct on the pretext of meeting another adult to organise a sexual encounter with a child.

It is also alleged that detectives examined his mobile phone on the day and located a quantity of child exploitation material, including “images and videos”.

Court documents reveal that Grinzi is further accused of accessing child abuse “images and videos” using a carriage service at his Paddington home.

Court documents also reveal allegations that Grinzi specifically discussed “oral sex and masturbation” during online conversations when he was allegedly grooming the child.

On Wednesday, his case was heard for the first time in Brisbane Arrests Court.

Grinzi is charged with three offences – possessing child exploitation material, accessing child abuse material, as well as procuring a child over the internet and going to meet the child.

Grinzi was represented by solicitor Adam Guest, of the firm Guest Lawyers, and did not attend court in person as his appearance was excused.

Mr Guest asked for a lengthy adjournment, telling the court he believed mobile phone analysis would be conducted, which could cause a significant delay.

The case was adjourned to Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 13.

Grinzi remains on bail.