A Brisbane man has been sentenced to 19 years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 12 years, for facilitating the sexual abuse of 25 children in the Philippines, including some with severe disabilities.
The man, 62, pled guilty in February, 2025, to 98 child abuse-related offences, including spending $5000 over three years to livestream 28 child sexual abuse shows from the Philippines.
He also travelled to the Philippines on two separate occasions with the intent to sexually abuse children he had observed being abused in the live shows. However, he was unable to organise a meeting with those children after he arrived.
The AFP started an investigation in October, 2019, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stopped the man and searched his phone when he arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from the Philippines.
Forensic examination of his phone located child sexual abuse material, prolific use of Live Online Child Sexual Abuse (LOCSA) and evidence he had been communicating directly with victim children and detailing sexual offences he intended to subject them to.
LOCSA refers to offending involving the purchase of live child abuse shows that occur in real time over video conferencing applications. Consumers will typically direct the abuse with victim children subjected to repeated, and increasingly degrading, sexual abuse over a prolonged period.
The AFP provided information about the man's offending to the Philippine National Police (PNP), via the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Child Centre (PICACC), leading to the rescue of seven victims, aged between five and 20, and the arrest and prosecution of three LOCSA facilitators.
AFP and PICACC inquiries with respect to the remaining facilitators and victims remain ongoing.
The man was sentenced yesterday (1 October, 2026) by the Brisbane Supreme Court for the following offences:
- Three counts of persistent sexual abuse of a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.11(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Two counts of preparing or planning for sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.20(1) and 272.8(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- 31 counts of preparing for or planning for a child to engage in sexual intercourse outside Australia in the presence of the defendant, contrary to section 272.20(1) and 272.8(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Eight counts of preparing or planning for a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia in the presence of the defendant, contrary to section 272.20(1) and 272.9(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count procuring a child under 16 years to engage in sexual activity outside Australia, contrary to section 272.14(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Two counts encouraging a child to engage in sexual intercourse outside Australia in the presence of the defendant, contrary to section 272.19(1) and 272.8(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Six counts of causing child to engage in sexual intercourse in the presence of the defendant outside Australia, contrary to section 272.8(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia, contrary to section 272.15(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- 25 counts of using a carriage service to cause child pornography material to be transmitted to self, contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Three counts of using a carriage service to transmit child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- 12 counts of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.19(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Two counts of using a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of obstructing a Commonwealth public official, contrary to section 149.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of unlawfully importing tier 2 goods, contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth).
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Louise McGregor said this investigation highlighted how closely police and partner agencies around the world worked together to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.
"Our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone producing, sharing or accessing child abuse material and we will continue to work with our domestic and international partners to bring these perpetrators to justice," Det a/Supt McGregor said.
"Unfortunately, online child abuse material is not rare, and is a focus for the AFP and other law enforcement agencies.
"Our common goal is to protect children wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts."
Australian Border Force Superintendent Robert Ansell said his officers played a crucial role in preventing vile material from crossing the Australian border.
"Australians would be shocked at how often ABF officers locate child abuse material at the border," Supt Ansell said.
"I am immensely proud of the professionalism, vigilance and resilience our officers show when confronted with deeply distressing material. Their work can be the first step in identifying an offender, stopping further abuse and protecting a child."
Philippine National Police, Women and Children Protection Centre Chief, Police Brigadier General Sheila Portento, said every child deserved safety, dignity and a future free from exploitation.
"At the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Centre (WCPC), we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting children, wherever they may be," Police Brigadier Portento said.
"Working closely with our local and international partners, we strengthen cross-border cooperation, support and protect survivors, enhance investigative capabilities and pursue justice for every case.
"Behind every case is a child - a life, a story, and a future that deserves to be protected.
"We call on everyone to 'Protect. Speak up. Report. Act.' By working together, we create safer environments for children, prevent their exploitation, hold perpetrators to account, and ensure no child is left vulnerable.
"Every child deserves the opportunity to grow in safety, dream without fear, and thrive with dignity. Together, let us rescue, protect and stand for every child."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
