Basketball coach charged over child grooming at Wollongong, NSW

A Wollongong basketball coach has been charged following an investigation into the alleged grooming of teenage girls he was coaching.

In June 2020, detectives from Wollongong Police District commenced an investigation following reports several girls – aged between 14 and 16 – had been groomed by a man known to them.

As part of their inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Wollongong on Tuesday 16 June 2020.

A number of electronic items were seized for forensic examination.

Following further inquiries, a 21-year-old man was arrested at Wollongong Police Station about 3pm today (Thursday 9 July 2020).

He was charged with groom child for unlawful sexual activity over 14 years and under 16 years old and incite aggravated indecency – victim under 16 and under authority of offender.

Police will allege in court that the man groomed a number of girls – aged between 14 and 16 – via social media applications and requested explicit photographs of the girls between April 2017 and January 2020.

It’s further alleged the man supplied alcohol to a 15-year-old girl in January 2020.

The man was granted conditional bail and is due to face Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 11 August 2020.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

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