Safety Beach: Man, 28, charged with sadistic sextortion of girl, aged 15,

Police will allege the man had been grooming a teenager he met online and was threatening to send out videos of her carrying out various compromising acts. Watch the arrest.

A northern NSW man has been charged with the sadistic sextortion of a teenager almost half his age.

Sex Crimes Squad detectives began investigating the man, 28, in August, following a referral from their counterparts in Queensland.

Police will allege the man had been grooming a 15-year-old girl he had met online and was threatening her to send videos of herself carrying out various compromising acts such as self-harming and performing sexual acts.

About 7.35am on Wednesday, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – attended an address in Safety Beach, about 30km north of Coffs Harbour, where they arrested the man.

Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a man following an investigation into alleged sextortion in Coffs Harbour in the state’s north.

During a search of the property, police located and seized various electronic devices which will undergo further forensic examination.

The man was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station, where he was hit with a string of charges including: Using a carriage service to engage in sexual activity with a child; to do/plan harm to person under 16 years; to groom under 16 years for sex; to threaten to kill; to threaten to serious harm; to send indecent material to person under 16 years; and to cause child sexual activity.

He was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour police station, where he was charged.

The man, 28, was refused bail in court.

He was refused bail and appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court the same day.

Commander of State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad, Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, said police are seeing a rise in sadistic sextortion cases.

“Sadistic sextortion is unlike typical cases of sextortion because the offender is not doing it for financial gain, rather victims are being coerced into producing extreme sexual and violent content,” Det Supt Doherty said.

“We want children to know there is always someone who will listen, and there are things we can do to get you out of any situation, no matter how frightening it is or what the offender is telling you.

“I hope this incident also acts an alert to parents who may be aware that their children engaging in self-harm that there may be deeper reasons for this that need to be explored with them in a supportive manner.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]