Jayden O’Donnell charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl at a park in West Wallsend
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad have charged a Cardiff man for allegedly using social media to communicate with a 12-year-old girl before meeting her at a park and sexually assaulting her.
Newcastle
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A Cardiff man has been accused of using social media to communicate with a 12-year-old girl, before he allegedly sexually assaulted her at a park in Newcastle earlier this year.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad arrested Jayden O’Donnell, 19, at a home in Cardiff on Tuesday where they seized mobile phones and other electronic devices.
He was charged with intentionally sexually touch child, five counts of have sexual intercourse with a child, produce child abuse material and disseminate child abuse material.
Police allege in court Mr O’Donnell met up with the young girl at a park in West Wallsend in April where he sexually assaulted her.
Police further allege he also shared recordings of the incident on social media.
He was refused bail at Toronto Local Court on Wednesday.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, said the incident is a timely reminder for parents and carers to speak with young people about potential dangers online.
“While social media apps allow us to be better connected with people we know, they also provide opportunity for people we don’t know to connect with us – and this includes strangers talking to our children,” Det Supt Kerlatec said.
“For young people, any online platform that allows them to be in contact with people they do not know – and have only met in the online environment – can put them at risk.
“We know that sexual predators may use the online environment to target children, so it is imperative that all young people know what to do if they are exposed to explicit or inappropriate conversations.
“It is common for young people to feel uncomfortable reporting these types of conversations, so I urge parents and carers to make sure they’re assured that they don’t need to be embarrassed or upset.
“From a police perspective, our priority is protecting children from any type of harm, and we will track down anyone who uses the internet to groom and/or procure children for sex.
“I want to remind everyone to be careful about providing personal details on social media, especially to someone they only know online, and take extreme caution if making plans to meet up – consider whether you really know who it is you are meeting,” Det Supt Kerlatec said.