Five men charged for online grooming offences in Central West and Southern Tablelands
Police are warning parents to be aware of predators after five men from across NSW were arrested and charged with alleged online grooming offences in just over a week.
The Bowral News
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Police are warning parents to be aware of predators after five men from across NSW were arrested and charged with alleged online grooming offences in just over a week.
Last Wednesday, the Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) executed a number of search warrants in the state’s Central West and Southern Tablelands as part of an investigation into online child exploitation.
The arrests of the five men aged between 29 – 77, occurred in Katoomba, Wollongong, the Southern Tablelands, Orange and Windeyer.
A 56-year-old man from a Katoomba address appeared at Penrith Local Court on Friday for the alleged use of a carriage service to send indecent material.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a girl aged under 16 and engaged in sexually explicit conversations with her.
At around 6pm on Thursday, investigators attached to the CEIU attended the Katoomba address to arrest the man, after speaking to him online since February.
He was taken to Katoomba Police station where he was charged and refused bail.
After engaging with a man online since June 2021, a 77-year-old man from the Southern Tablelands was arrested just before 7.30am on Tuesday.
He was taken to Goulburn Police Station, where he was refused bail and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with child under the age of 10 years.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with the 40-year-old mother of a girl aged under 10 and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform on the child.
After appearing at Goulburn Local Court the following day on Wednesday, the man was granted strict conditional bail and is to reappear on April 13.
At about 6.30am on Monday, a 29-year-old man was arrested at Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, who detectives have been speaking to since last month.
He was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with use carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a girl aged under 16 and engaged in sexually explicit conversations with her, before attempting to make arrangements to meet in person.
He was granted conditional bail by police and is to appear at Wollongong Local Court on April 12.
Last Thursday a 35-year-old man from Orange appeared at Orange Local Court for allegedly using a carriage service to send indecent material to person under 16.
Investigators have been speaking to the man online since December 2021.
The man was arrested at about 7.20am on the same day and taken to Orange Police Station where he was refused bail.
However he was given conditional bail at court where he will reappear on March 21.
Police will allege in court the man believed he was speaking with a girl aged under 16 years and engaged in sexually explicit conversations.
A 66-year-old man appeared at Orange Local Court last Wednesday for the use of a carriage service to groom child under 16 years of age for sex.
Police allege the man believed he was speaking with a girl aged under 16 and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform with her.
He was also charged for a separate offence of handling an explosive or precursor without authorising licence, after investigators uncovered fireworks during a subsequent search warrant.
CEIU detectives arrested the man at a home in Windeyer just before 7am, on the same day he appeared at court.
He was taken to Mudgee Police Station, where he was refused bail.
Following his court appearance, the man was granted conditional bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court on March 23.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Adam Powderly, said in each instance police will allege in court that the men believed they were talking to a child or parent of a child, and expressed desires to engage in sexual activity with the child.
“The insidious nature of online predators is that they seek out children and adopt online behaviours typical of that age, such as the use of emojis, acronyms and slang as a way to groom their victims,” Det A/Supt Powderly said.
“In most cases what then follows is a request for explicit photos or attempts by the offender to meet up in person – an act which could have devastating consequences for a young child.
Det A/Supt Powderly urged carers to educate their children on online safety.
“As a parent or carer, you should explain to your child that people online may not always be who they claim to be and remain approachable and understanding in the event something makes the child uncomfortable online,” Det A/Supt Powderly said.
Investigations into online child exploitation are continuing.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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