Wyong: Michael Anthony Hottes, 44, pleads not guilty to online grooming
A former power station worker has pleaded not guilty to online grooming using the popular social media app Snapchat.
Central Coast
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A man has pleaded not guilty to grooming what he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex but police allege was undercover officer, a court has heard
Michael Anthony Hottes appeared via video link at Wyong Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to using a carriage service to groom a child under 16 for sexual activity.
He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching his reporting conditions in allegedly failing to provide his Snapchat profile details to police or informing them of his new address.
Police will allege in court Hottes used Snapchat to groom what he understood to be a girl, 14, with the intention of making it easier to procure her for sex despite him being aged 44.
Police will further allege the girl Hottes was allegedly communicating with, between May 20 and June 30 last year, was actually a “fictitious recipient” and he was really speaking with an undercover officer.
His bail was refused and he was adjourned to face Gosford District Court on March 7 to set a trial date some time in late 2025.
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