A man will re-appear in court today facing charges related to online grooming and soliciting child abuse material following an investigation by Strike Force Trawler.
In November last year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Surry Hills.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform on the child.
It will be further alleged that the man sent sexually explicit material to who he believed was a child.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 45-year-old man at his Surry Hills home about 7.45am on Thursday 28 January 2021.
A search warrant was subsequently executed at a unit, where detectives seized a mobile phone and a electronic storage device, which were subject to forensic examination.
The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with use carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex and use carriage service for child abuse material.
He was refused bail and appeared at Central Local Court, where he was formally bail refused to reappear at the same court today (Wednesday 24 March 2021).
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
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.
