Philip Van Heerden: NSW Ambulance paramedic hit with child abuse material charges

A Sydney paramedic accused of child abuse material offences and possessing meth will remain behind bars on remand after an investigation into a user of an online dating application.

A Sydney paramedic slapped with a litany of child abuse material charges will remain behind bars on remand after a police investigation found he allegedly showed an interest in child abuse material through an online dating app.

Philip Van Heerden, 38, did not appear at Downing Centre Local Court on August 10 after he was charged with possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, using a carriage service to access child abuse material, causing child abuse material to be transmitted to self, using a carriage service and possessing a prohibited drug – methamphetamine. No pleas have been entered.

Court documents reveal Van Heerden allegedly “did use carriage service to make available child abuse material” and “did cause child abuse material to be transmitted to self, using a carriage service” on July 20 at Zetland.

Van Heerden is alleged to have possessed or controlled “child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service” at 10.48pm on July 26.

Court documents state on that same day at 8.41pm, he allegedly had methamphetamine in his possession.

Philip Van Heerden has been charged with child abuse material offences.

An Australian Federal Police statement reveals an investigation was launched in July, following a report about a user of an online dating application allegedly sending another user a message indicating an interest in child abuse material.

The AFP investigation allegedly linked Van Heerden to the account which sent the message.

Police will allege Van Heerden engaged in further online conversations in which he shared child abuse material with online operatives.

Philip Van Heerden was arrested for child abuse material offences.

The AFP executed a search warrant at Van Heerden’s Zetland home on July 26, where they allegedly found methamphetamine and child abuse material on electronic devices which were seized and will be subject to further examination.

AFP Detective Inspector Jeremy Staunton said anyone who consumed and shared abhorrent material was committing a crime, and would be identified and arrested.

“Law enforcement agencies have many tools up their sleeve to track these individuals down and bring them before the courts,” he said.

“The AFP remains committed to targeting and identifying those who seek to harm children.”

When asked about Van Heerden’s employment status, a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said “as this matter is currently before the court we cannot comment further”.

It is understood Van Heerden was working as a paramedic at Paddington and according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, he is still registered.

In court on Thursday, Van Heerden’s lawyer Phillip Ryan said he would not be proceeding with a bail application for his client’s release.

The matter will return to the same court on September 21.