Campbelltown man charged with sex assault of girl he met on Snapchat

A man who allegedly drove more than three-and-a-half hours to see a 15-year-old girl he met over Snapchat gave her vapes as a reward just moments after sexually assaulting her.

Police allege the man gave the 15-year-old some vapes immediately after sexually assaulting her. Picture: istock

A man who allegedly drove more than three-and-a-half hours to see a 15-year-old girl he met over Snapchat gave her vapes as a reward just moments after sexually assaulting her.

The 37-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday morning inside the Campbelltown home from where he last month set off on a road trip up to the Hunter Valley to meet the young girl.

Police allege that across December and January the pair spoke and exchanged images and personal details over the social media app.

They then organised to meet up and during their encounter police sources said the man gave the girl e-cigarettes.

NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent Gordon said the images allegedly shared between the man and the child included pictures of “each other and a meeting (location) suggestion”.

Det Act Supt Arbinja praised the “brave” efforts by the alleged victim, which greatly helped the investigation by the child abuse and sex crimes squad.

“Inquiries were extensive but if it wasn’t for the bravery of the child then we wouldn’t have come to (an arrest) today,” he said.

“The message to parents is that the relationship that you should have with your child is one that is interdependent.

“You should know what your child is doing, you should be objective when you speak to your child in a non-judgemental way, so your child has the confidence to know that they can report the matter to the parent or the adult if something like this should happen.”

Investigators raided the man’s home about 7am on Tuesday and took him to Campbelltown Police Station.

During their search of the home a Nissan X-Trail and several electronic items were seized, all of which will undergo further forensic examination.

The man was charged with one count of having sexual intercourse with a child between 14 and 16 years of age. He is due to face Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday.