Strike Force Trawler detectives have laid charges following an investigation into alleged online grooming in Sydney’s west.
In July this year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a woman from Sydney’s west.
Police will allege in court that the person believed they were speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts they wished to perform on the child.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 47-year-old woman at a home at Greystanes on Friday 14 August 2020.
Officers executed a search warrant at the home and seized electronic devices.
The woman was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with use carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex and use carriage service to send indecent material to person.
She appeared at Fairfield Bail Court on Saturday 15 August 2020, where she was granted strict conditional bail to reappear at Parramatta Local court on Thursday 15 October 2020.
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.
