NT Police charge man with alleged possession of child abuse material

A man will face court after a police raid allegedly uncovered child abuse material at a home in a rural Top End suburb.

A man will face Darwin Local Court on Thursday charged with allegedly possessing child abuse material. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A 44-year-old man will face court after a police raid on a rural home allegedly uncovered child abuse material.

The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) arrested and charged the man following a raid on Thursday.

It follows after the police say they were made aware of the man in April as part of a wider operation.

During the search carried out by NT Police and Australian Federal Police officers, a device allegedly containing child abuse material was seized.

The man was charged with one count of accessing child abuse material and one count of possessing or controlling child abuse material.

In their statement, NT Police did not specify where the man was from, and stated he had been arrested in a rural suburb.

He is due to appear in Darwin Local Court on May 22.

Detective Sergeant Mark Cronin, said the alleged access, possession or distribution of child abuse material was a “heinous crime”.

“The Northern Territory Police remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, and we will continue to work tirelessly to hold (alleged) offenders accountable for their actions,” he said.

AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said their “common goal” was to protect children.

“Our message to (alleged) offenders is clear: access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found and you will be prosecuted.”

Members of the public who have any information about child abuse and exploitation are urged to call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.