Two Men Charged Over Alleged Online Grooming

Post date: Jul 9, 2020 9:23:24 PM

Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged two men in the state’s Central West following separate investigations into alleged online grooming.

Last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from the state’s Central Tablelands.

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

Following extensive inquiries, investigators arrested a 36-year-old man at a home in Gulgong about 8am on Wendesday, July 8.

A search warrant was executed at the home, where police seized electronic storage devices.

The man was taken to Mudgee Police Station and charged with use carriage service to groom child under 16 years for sexual activity.

He was refused bail and appeared at Mudgee Local Court, where he was granted strict conditional bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 9 September 2020.

In a separate investigation, CEIU detectives began engaging online with a man from Dubbo in February this year.

It will be alleged in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 13-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually explicit acts he wished the child to perform and sent explicit material.

Following extensive inquiries, officers attended a business at Dubbo and arrested a 47-year-old man yesterday.