NSW police charge man over online grooming

Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged a man following an investigation into alleged online grooming in Sydney’s south.

In September this year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from south Sydney.

Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform on the child.

Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 47-year-old man at a home at Arncliffe about 9.15am yesterday (Tuesday 24 November 2020).

A search warrant was subsequently executed at the home, where detectives seized a mobile phone, tablet and electronic storage devices.

The man was taken to Campsie Police Station and charged with use carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex.

He appeared at Burwood Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 24 November 2020), where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 2 February 2021.

Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.

Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.

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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