A 44-year-old Altona North man has today been sentenced in the Melbourne County Court to three years and 10 months' imprisonment after attempting to procure a child overseas for sexual abuse activity.
On 10 January 2019, members from the Victorian JACET, comprising the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police, conducted a search warrant at the man's Altona North home. During the search, police seized a mobile phone that was found to contain child abuse material.
Police told the court the man was communicating with a 13-year-old child from the UK. The 44-year-old had also sent the girl gifts and stated in online messages that he wanted to take her away from her family.
It was further proven that the man was actively talking online about travelling overseas to meet the child with the intent to engage in sexual abuse activity.
Additional evidence showed the Altona North resident had transmitted child abuse material to other children online.
The Victorian JACET received an intelligence report from UK police which helped launch the investigation that led to his arrest.
On 19 February 2021, he appeared before the Melbourne County Court and pled guilty to the following charges;
- One count of procuring a child to engage in sexual activity, outside Australia, contrary to section 272.14(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of knowingly possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 51G of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic); and
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to person under 16 years of age contrary to section 27A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The man was given a non-parole period of two years and eight months.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child sexual exploitation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://www.crimestoppers.com.au/
