Sydney traffic controller Aram Barsamian allegedly groomed eight-year-old child

A Sydney traffic controller who allegedly threatened an eight-year-old over Snapchat after telling the child he “loved them” has been released on bail.

Aram Barsamian, 26, appeared at Parramatta Bail Court.

A father’s alarming discovery of threatening messages and photos allegedly sent by a Sydney traffic controller to an eight-year-old child led to the man’s arrest, a court has learned.

Aram Barsamian, 26, appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday charged with procuring a child for sexual activity, making child abuse material, and using a phone to harass.

For almost a month, Barsamian allegedly exchanged photos and messages with an underage girl over the social media app Snapchat, many of which have since been deleted, the court heard.

In a photo obtained by police, Barsamian allegedly told the child to “say less” while in his car.

The following day, he allegedly sent another photo with the message “f**k you”.

The image allegedly contained icons displaying wads of cash with directions to the victim.

A representative of the police prosecution told the court the messages amounted to an attempt to silence the victim, and that the tone of the messages changed over time.

“Barsamian says ‘I love you’,” the prosecutor said.

Parramatta Court House.

“It’s an affirmative response, until the victim stops responding.

“That’s when the tone changes.”

Barsamian allegedly knew how old the child was during their exchanges and allegedly instructed them to do certain things, including to visit pornographic websites.

In applying for bail, Barsamian’s lawyer admitted that police had a “strong case”, but argued ongoing attempts to obtain deleted Snapchat messages would slow proceedings.

“The first messages received by police are indicative of two people previously communicating with one another,” Barsamian’s lawyer told the court.

“There will be an application to Snapchat, which is overseas, to access the deleted data.”

Snapchat messages are automatically deleted after they are viewed, or after a period of time.

Barsamian’s lawyer told the court it could be two years before Barsamian could be put before a Sydney District Court, if he decided to fight the charges.

If convicted, Judge Murray Aldridge said there was “no way in the world” Barsamian, who has no criminal convictions, would not be placed into full time custody, and could remain behind bars for up to 20 years.

But, with a delay in proceedings, he agreed to grant Barsamian strict conditional bail, with Barsamian’s father offering up his $2.5 million West Ryde home as security.

Once released, Barsamian will be barred from accessing any electronic devices, including mobile phones, computers, and tablets.

He will only be able to use radios for work purposes.

Barsamian also faces further charges following his arrest on January 6, including possessing a restricted substance – Enanthate 250 testosterone, as well as ammunition with a licence.

No pleas have been entered for any of the charges.