Campsie: Alleged sex offender carrying toys trapped by heroic bystander
A big teddy, drone, lollies and a picnic rug: Inside a man’s backpack after he was arrested by a heroic bystander for allegedly sexually touching children aged 4 and 6 in their front yard.
Police & Courts
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A man charged with sexually touching and filming children after allegedly luring them with lollies and toys has covered his face with his hands as he arrived at court on Thursday.
Anthony Richard Carr, 68, from Campsie, was arrested on Wednesday evening and charged with multiple offences including procuring a child under 14 for unlawful sexual activity; intentionally sexually touching a child under 10; filming a person’s private parts without consent; producing child abuse material and common assault.
Just before 6.30pm on Wednesday, police were called to a unit on Oswald St in Campsie after reports that Carr allegedly approaching two children, aged four and six.
Police will allege the children were sitting in the front yard when a man riding a bike stopped in front and began talking to the children before he sat down with them.
He then allegedly offered them lollies while he filmed the children before he allegedly sexually touched one of them.
A passer-by noticed the man and called police. He was later arrested and taken to Campsie police station.
Footage of the arrest shows the heroic bystander dramatically detaining the man who was carrying a backpack with a number of items, including a giant teddy bear, a drone and lollies.
Police were then seen swarming the elderly man as he lay face down on the grass in the front yard.
In Burwood Local Court today, Mr Carr donned what appeared to be a greasy-looking old T-shirt as he sat quietly in his defendant box.
His Legal Aid representative told the court Mr Carr had an injury to his right arm and required medical attention.
Court documents state Carr failed to comply with his reporting obligations under the Child Protection Offenders Registration Act 2000 yesterday between 5pm and 5.40pm when the alleged offences took place in Campsie.
According to court documents he intentionally procured a four-year-old girl for unlawful sexual activity where he allegedly touched, assaulted and filmed her genitalia to obtain sexual arousal. He is also charged with assaulting another child at the same time.
Campsie Police commander Kerrie Lewis told reporters the intervention by a visitor to a neighbouring unit could have prevented a worse incident.
“I am sure the parents (of the girls) are extremely appreciative of the community involvement in this as it potentially stopped a more serious incident,” Det Supt Lewis said.
“This is terrifying and the welfare of the little girls are of our utmost concern.
“They are doing well as far I am aware.”
Det Supt Lewis said the two girls were having a picnic on a rug outside their unit on Oswald St, Campsie, when the alleged incident occurred.
“Shortly before 6.30pm yesterday (Wednesday), a 68-year-old man was riding a bicycle when he approached two little girls having as picnic on the grass outside their unit block in Campsie,” she said.
“The man sat down on the rug with the little girls and offered them lollies and biscuits and then he began to take pictures of the girls.
“It will be alleged in court that the man intentionally sexually touched one of the girls.
“Fortunately, a member of the public who was visiting a neighbour, saw what was happening and intervened.
“He then called Campsie Police who arrived shortly after and arrested the man.”
His Legal Aid representative told the court Mr Carr had an injury to his right arm and required medical attention.
Court documents state Carr failed to comply with his reporting obligations under the Child Protection Offenders Registration Act 2000 yesterday between 5pm and 5.40pm when the alleged offences took place in Campsie.
According to court documents he intentionally procured a four-year-old girl for unlawful sexual activity where he allegedly touched, assaulted and filmed her genitalia to obtain sexual arousal. He is also charged with assaulting another child at the same time.
Bail was not applied for and formally refused.
The court heard he has an AVO in relation to two individuals.
He will reappear for this matter as well as an AVO matter on April 2.
Muslim community leader Steve Dabliz said he was “apalled” and disgusted” when he was sent footage of the dramatic arrest by the neighbours.
“It just goes to show that parents have to be continually vigilant and it’s getting that way that you don’t want to let your kids out of your sight,” he said.
“What happened - or what could have happened - is every parent’s nightmare.”