A man has been charged with alleged historic online child grooming and sexual touching offences in the state's north.
On Friday 17 April 2026, detectives attached to Coffs/Clerance Police District commenced an investigation into an alleged sexual touching and exploitation of a child facilitated through an online platform in the Toormina area between 2023 and 2024.
Police were told a 12-year-old boy was allegedly sent sexually explicit material and inappropriately touched by a man known to him in three separate incidents.
Following inquiries, about 3.30pm on Thursday 30 April 2026, police executed a search warrant at a home on Mount Bishop Road, Karangi, where they allegedly located and seized a laptop, a computer, and three mobile phone devices.
Following further inquiries, about 10am yesterday (Monday 18 May 2026), police attended the same home and arrested a 24-year-old man.
He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with common assault, groom child under 14 years of unlawful sexual activity, and two counts of intentionally sexually touch child older than 10 years and younger than 16 years.
He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 1 today (Tuesday 19 May 2026), where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday 9 June 2026.
