A Sydney man who remotely orchestrated the abuse of a Filipino child has been sentenced to three years' and six months imprisonment following a multi-agency investigation.
The minor linked to his offending has also been removed from harm in the Philippines.
The man, 63, was sentenced by the Downing Centre District Court yesterday (10 October, 2025) to three years' and six months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years' and three months imprisonment.
He first came to the attention of Australian law enforcement in September, 2022, after he flew into Sydney Airport from the United Kingdom.
Utilising intelligence-based targeting, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers identified the man and selected him for a baggage examination, where they reviewed multiple electronic devices and identified a photo of interest involving a minor.
Further examination of his devices by the ABF later found 90 images and one video depicting child abuse of a female minor. The matter was referred to the AFP for further investigation.
Conversations where the man directed a person in the Philippines to perform sexualised acts on the minor were also found later on his devices. These incidents were recorded and sent to him.
The man was arrested in Brisbane in August, 2023, after returning to Australia following extended periods working overseas. A search warrant was executed at his home in Kirribilli, NSW, and other electronic items were seized.
The man was extradited to NSW and charged with child abuse offences.
Evidence from this arrest was shared with the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC). The Philippines National Police (PNP) Officers removed the female minor from harm in Masbate City in May 2025, following an extended search for her.
Another female, aged 25, was also removed from harm.
The Sydney man pleaded guilty to the following offences on 12 March, 2025:
- One count of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to self, contrary to section 424.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of grooming a person with the intention of making it easier to procure a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia, contrary to section 272.15A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said law enforcement agencies around the world were dedicated to protecting children and prosecuting those who sought to harm them.
"All victims of child sexual exploitation experience lifelong harm because of the selfish and abhorrent actions of their abusers," Det a/Insp Tsardoulias said.
"The AFP works closely with domestic and international law enforcement partners to identify and stop anyone involved in the harm of children and to remove victims from further abuse.
"Offenders need to know their online illicit activity can always be traced, and police share intelligence and resources every day - if you think you can hide online and commit horrendous crimes, think again."
Philippine National Police Acting Chief Women and Children Protection Centre, Police Brigadier General Maria Sheila T Portento, said the cooperation between the PNP and AFP Manila Post resulted in these rescues.
"Our two organisations will continue to exchange intelligence to arrest further perpetrators and rescue more children," Brigadier General Portento said.
ABF Inspector Justine Bonner said targeted intelligence provided frontline officers the knowledge to identify possible threats.
"Digital examinations conducted by our highly trained officers have the potential to detect and disrupt the activities of offenders who orchestrate their vile crimes both online and internationally," Insp Bonner said.
"This case highlights the vital role ABF officers play in removing vulnerable children from harm.
"Our pre-border international engagements, including with partner agencies, allows for the swift sharing of information to identify these offenders."
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 at www.accce.gov.au/report. 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 at www.accce.gov.au/support.
