PLEASE NOTE: Media are reminded of their obligations under s105 of the Children and Young Person (Care and Protection) Act 1998.
Police have charged a man over alleged historical child sex offences in the state's Southern Highlands.
In August 2022, officers attached to The Hume Police District established Strike Force Crispsparkle to investigate the alleged historical sexual and indecent assaults of five children that occurred in the Southern Highlands between 2000 and 2012, when the children were aged between six and 17.
Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Bendooley Street, Welby, about 8.20am yesterday (Monday 24 October 2022), and arrested a 39-year-old man.
He was taken to Southern Highlands Police Station where he was charged with 17 offences:
- Aggravated indecent assault – victim under the age of 16 years (six counts)
- Aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16 years – serious indictable offence (two counts)
- Aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim – serious indictable offence
- Sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years – serious indictable offence (two counts)
- Incite victim under 10 years to commit indecent act (three counts)
- Indecent assault person under 16 years of age (two counts), and,
- Sexual intercourse without consent – serious indictable offence.
The man appeared before Moss Vale Local Court yesterday where he was formally refused bail to reappear in the same court on Monday 19 December 2022.
Police also seized electronic devices from the home.
As investigations continue, police are urging anyone who believes they may a victim of crimes such as these to come forward.
Anyone with information about crimes such as these should contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
