NSW police lay charges over online grooming offences in Sydney’s west

Detectives have charged a man following an investigation into alleged online grooming offences in Sydney’s west.

In April this year, NSW Police commenced an investigation following a referral from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) relating to alleged online grooming offences by a man in Sydney’s west.

Police will allege in court that the man engaged with a 16-year-old girl from the Philippines via social media and encouraged her to send sexually explicit images to him in return for payment.

Following extensive inquiries by officers attached to Mt Druitt Police Area Command, with assistance from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit, a search warrant was executed at a home at Whalan about 12pm yesterday (Tuesday 5 October 2021).

During the search, officers seized electronic devices and an amount of methylamphetamine (ice).

The items will be subject to further examination.

A 53-year-old man was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, possess child abuse material and use carriage service to solicit child abuse material.

The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court today (Wednesday 6 October 2021).

Investigations are continuing.

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