NSW man sentenced for child abuse material offences

A Blacktown man has been sentenced at Parramatta District Court to two and a half years for sharing images of child sexual abuse online.

The 21-year-old man was arrested and charged in October 2020 by the AFP Eastern Command Child Protection Operations.

The investigation began following a referral from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

A search warrant was executed at the man’s home where investigators seized a number of electronic devices, including two phones, a USB and a laptop.

Sergeant Craig Eickenloff said committed to identifying and prosecuting online offenders attempting to exploit children.

“Anyone who views this material is committing a crime,” Sergeant Eickenloff said.

“Today’s sentence should act as a warning to those participating in this abhorrent criminality; you will be tracked down, prosecuted and locked away.”

The man pled guilty to the following charges:

  • Two counts of possess or control child abuse martial obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.24A if the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
  • One count of use carriage service to solicit child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(iv) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
  • One count of make available child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
  • One count of use carriage service to access child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

He will serve his sentence in the community under a corrections order.

The AFP is urging the public to help it solve cold case child abuse investigations through its Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object initiative. The smallest clue can often help solve a case.

The world-leading initiative, is centred on the publishing of non-confrontational images that can be seen in child exploitation online material such as pieces of clothing or bedding.

Australian investigators believe the images are linked to victims in the Asia Pacific Region, including Australia, and are calling on the community to view the images and make a report at www.accce.gov.au/trace

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

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