Man in court over attempted sexual assault of girl and child exploitation offences, NSW

A man will re-appear in court today charged over child exploitation offences and the attempted sexual assault of a young girl in the Hunter region.

In June this year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a man attempted to sexually assault a young girl known to him.

The investigation was assisted by the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NSW-JACET), which comprises of members from the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force.

Following extensive inquiries by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad and NSW-JACET, detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at a home in the Hunter region about 1pm on Saturday (30 November 2019).

Shortly after the arrest, police searched two homes in the Hunter region, where detectives seized several electronic storage devices.

The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with attempt sexual intercourse with child under 10 years (DV x5), use carriage service transmit/publish/promote child porn (x2), possess/control child abuse material using carriage service, produce child abuse material, disseminate child abuse material, and possess child abuse material.

Police will allege in court that the man attempted to sexually assault the girl at a home on a number of occasions between December 2018 and June 2019.

It will be further alleged that the man produced, sent and received child abuse material online.

He was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Monday 2 December 2019).

The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

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.

Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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