A Newcastle was today (28 July, 2022) sentenced to six years' jail by the Newcastle Local Court for multiple sexual abuse charges, including offences against a woman and child.
The investigation into the 44-year-old Edgeworth man commenced in November 2020 when he was identified through a nationwide investigation know as Operation Arkstone - an AFP-led, large-scale child protection operation.
The man was arrested on 17 December 2020 when AFP officers from Eastern Command Child Protection Operations executed a search warrant at his residential address and seized multiple electronic devices.
An examination of the devices revealed conversations indicating his sexual interest in children, as well as the distribution of intimate images of a woman without her consent. He was initially charged with two counts of distributing intimate images without consent.
Further investigations allegedly identified the man producing, transmitting and soliciting child abuse material, as well as engaging in highly sexualised conversations about children and animals.
AFP Detective Senior Constable Joanna Kolodziej said the extensive network uncovered through Operation Arkstone had highlighted just how diverse these offenders were, with many of them coming from well-respected and unsuspecting backgrounds.
"No individual, especially a child, should ever have to endure any form of abuse and violence from someone who holds high positions of trust in their lives and I urge the public to come forward and report any suspicious behaviour,'' Detective Senior Constable Joanna Kolodziej said.
"The impacts of sexual offences are devastating and long-lasting on victims and their families, which is why the AFP will continue to be relentless in our identification and prosecution of these abusers."
The man plead guilty to the following charges:
- Use carriage service to menace, harass, offend contrary to Section 474.17 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)
- Aggravated offence involving private sexual material - using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence contrary to Section 474.17A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)
- Aggravated offence involving private sexual material - using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence contrary to Section 474.17A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)
- Use carriage service to transmit child abuse material contrary to Section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)
- Aggravated offence-offence involving conduct on 3 or more occasions and 2 or more people contrary to Section 474.24A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)
- Using a carriage service to prepare or plan to cause harm to, engage in sexual activity with, or procure for sexual activity, persons under 16 contrary to Section 474.25C of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)
He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of three years.
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 and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety.
An award-winning podcast launched last year by the ACCCE 'Closing The Net' is working to change that, showcasing that knowledge is power and that our only chance to help prevent this issue is if we bring a 'whole-of-community' response.
The podcast series offers valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online. Listen to the Closing The Net podcast on your favourite streaming platform.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
