A man will appear in court today charged over the alleged physical and sexual abuse of a teenage girl he met on social media.
Last week, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 13-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by a man she met on a social media application.
Following extensive inquiries, a 39-year-old man was arrested following a vehicle stop on Marco Street, Panania, about 5pm yesterday (Monday 17 February 2020).
The Lurnea man was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with 17 offences, including sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14 years (x7), common assault (x6), aggravated sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14 years (x2), and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (x2).
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the girl on several occasions at a home in Sydney's south west earlier this month.
It will be further alleged the man, who is a truck driver, physically and sexually assaulted the girl in a truck while travelling from Sydney to Canberra last week.
He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today (Tuesday 18 February 2020).
Investigations are continuing.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
