A Central Coast man was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Gosford District Court today (25 September, 2026) for watching live online child sexual abuse, with further police inquiries resulting in three children being removed from harm in the Philippines.
The man, 63, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of four years.
He came to police attention after the AFP received a report about an online user engaging in conversations about child sex trafficking and possible live streaming.
Further inquiries identified the online user as the Central Coast man.
The AFP arrested the man and seized three devices during a search warrant at Wyongah, NSW, on 11 September, 2025.
Further examination of the devices led to police locating a nine-minute screen recording of live online child sexual abuse, which the man had viewed.
The man had later wired 2000 PHP (about $46AUD) to a Filipino number.
Police also found conversations with a different Philippines-based individual in which an image and videos depicting child abuse were exchanged.
This intelligence was referred to the AFP's Manila Post, and then to the Philippines International Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC) and Philippines National Police (PNP).
On 3 June, 2026, PNP members conducted an operation in Bulacan, Philippines, which resulted in the three minors being removed from harm, and a 43-year-old female charged with child exploitation offences.
The man pleaded guilty on 30 June, 2026, to:
- One count of sexual activity, other than sexual intercourse, with a child outside of Australia, contrary to section 272.9(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of causing child abuse material to be transmitted to self using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said the case highlighted the strength of the AFP's Global Operations network and the enduring commitment of all law enforcement to protect children.
"Child sexual abuse is a borderless crime and cannot be tackled by one agency alone, and this result demonstrates the importance of sharing intelligence and resources with international partners," Det-Supt Needham said.
"Paying for live online child abuse fuels the demand for more exploitation, and this outcome is a reminder to predators that anything online can be traced.
"The AFP is proud to have played a role in children being removed from harm, and we will never stop protecting children."
Police Brigadier General Maria Sheila T. Porteno, Chief of the Women and Children Protection Center, said child protection knew no borders.
"Through the united efforts of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center, our international law enforcement partners, prosecutors, social workers, local government units and child-protection advocates, we are turning intelligence into action, rescue into recovery, and evidence into justice," Police Brigadier General Porteno said.
"We will relentlessly pursue those who exploit children, dismantle the criminal networks behind these heinous crimes, and ensure that every rescued child receives the protection, care and support they deserve.
"To every offender, our message is clear: there is no safe haven. We will find you, bring you to justice and hold you fully accountable under the law."
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 to combatting child abuse.
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.
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.
