Scout helper on sex charge

A SCOUT volunteer has been charged with allegedly grooming and indecently assaulting a teenager at Grafton.

NOT AGAIN: A second man crashed his car at almost the exact same place as Saturday's accident. Picture: John Gass

A SCOUT volunteer has been charged with allegedly grooming and indecently assaulting a teenager at Grafton.

Police will allege the man indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl during a scout camp at Grafton in December 2013.

The 40-year-old man was arrested about 5.30pm on Friday at Barrington Tops, west of Taree, and taken to Maitland Police Station.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the man's house in South Grafton, and allegedly located a shortened firearm, a homemade firearm, two silencers, a magazine and ammunition.

He was charged with:

Two counts of indecent assault of child under 16 years;

Groom child for unlawful sexual activity;

Possess shortened firearm;

Two counts of possess unregistered firearm;

Two counts of not keep firearm safe; and

Three counts of possess prohibited weapon without permit.

The man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Saturday.

The arrest was made after investigations by the Child Abuse Squad, which is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate crimes against children, including sexual assault, physical abuse and serious cases of neglect.

The squad works in partnership with the Department of Family and Community Services and NSW Health, with specialised tri-agency teams based at metropolitan and regional locations throughout NSW.

Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: police.nsw.gov.au/. Confidential reports can also be made to the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.

Originally published as Scout helper on sex charge