Man, 40, arrested over alleged attempt to procure girl, 11, for sex

A man told who he believed to be an 11-year-old girl to ‘wear her school uniform’ when they met up for sex, a court has heard.

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A man who has been living in a Sydney hostel was refused bail today charged with sending explicit messages to who he believed was a child he allegedly attempted to meet for sex.

Christopher Kilgannon, 40, faced Central Local Court following his arrest by Strike Force Trawler detectives and Police Transport Command officers at Central Station about 1.30pm on Monday.

The court heard Kilgannon told what he believed to be an 11-year-old girl, but who was actually a police officer conducting a covert sting, to “wear her school uniform” at a meeting he allegedly arranged for the pair to have “simultaneous oral sex”.

Christopher Kilgannon, 40, charged with allegedly trying to procure an 11-year-old girl for sex. Picture: Storyful/Instagram

His arrest by Strike Force Trawler detectives at Central Station on Monday. Picture: NSW Police

Police will allege in court Kilgannon thought he was speaking with the girl when he exchanged messages with Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad officers, detailing sexual acts he wished to perform on the child.

It is alleged officers from the Child Exploitation Unit began engaging with Kilgannon in May following a report he had been allegedly speaking online with a young girl in regional NSW.

Kilgannon instructed the online persona “how to masturbate” and told her she had to keep their relationship a secret, the court heard on Tuesday.

He is due to face court today. Picture: NSW Police

Police regularly conduct covert operations like the one that allegedly caught this offence. Picture: NSW Police

In his defence, the court heard Kilgannon did not intend to carry out the acts he had suggested in his messages.

It heard the unemployed construction worker — who has the word ‘criminal’ tattooed across his back — had no criminal history. He has been living in a hostel at Woolloomooloo.

Magistrate Robert Williams denied Kilgannon’s application for strict conditional bail.

The court heard Kilgannon had ‘nil’ criminal history. Picture: Storyful/Instagram

Magistrate Williams said he was not convinced proposed conditions including having no access to the internet allayed concerns over risks the accused posed to the community.

“This is a very strong prosecution case,” he said.

Kilgannon’s phone was seized during his arrest on Monday, which will undergo forensic examination.

He was taken to Day St police station and charged with using a carriage service to procure a person under 16 years of age. The offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years’ jail.

A brief was ordered to be served on July 31, when Kilgannon is due to next face court.