Police charge man with 17 offences after sexual assault in Minto

A man will re-appear in court today and face additional charges following an investigation into the grooming and sexual assault of a young girl in Sydney’s south-west.

On Friday 7 August 2020, police received reports that a 13-year-old girl had been groomed and sexually abused by a man she had met through social media.

Detectives from Campbelltown Police Area Command commenced an investigation before the matter was referred to the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

Following extensive inquiries, investigators stopped a white Holden Commodore station wagon in the Hornsby CBD about 3.40pm on Monday 10 August 2020.

The front passenger, a 28-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Hornsby Police Station.

The man’s mobile phone was seized for forensic examination.

He was charged with three counts of groom child under 14 years for unlawful sexual act, three counts of intentionally sexually touch child (aged between 10 and 16), have sexual intercourse with child (aged between 10 and 16), use carriage service to send indecent material to person under 16, meet etc child under 14 groomed for sexual activity, possess child abuse material and administer/attempt administer prohibited drug to another.

Police will allege in court that the man groomed the child online before arranging to meet in the Minto area on Monday 3 August 2020, where he sexually assaulted her.

The 28-year-old was refused bail and appeared at Hornsby Local Court on Tuesday 11 August 2020, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court today (Wednesday 7 October 2020).

Following further investigations, detectives will lay an additional five child abuse-related offences against the 28-year-old man at court today.

He is now facing a total 17 offences and inquiries are continuing.

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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