**PLEASE NOTE: Images of items seized from the February search warrant are available via Hightail link: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/XNIn8VArgs **
Detectives on the Central Coast have charged a couple and four males after uncovering alleged ongoing physical and sexual abuse of a teenage boy as part of a drug supply investigation.
In February 2021, detectives attached to Brisbane Water Police District established Strike Force Bloomsbury to investigate the alleged supply of prohibited drugs – mainly methylamphetamine and MDMA – on the Central Coast.
As a result of inquiries, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a Narara home on Friday 26 February 2021, where they arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy.
During a search of the home, police located and seized swords, knives, knuckle dusters, an electronic stun device, mobile phones, methylamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis and cash.
Both the woman and the teenage boy were charged with drug and weapons offences; they both remain before the courts.
Following an analysis of the items seized, strike force detectives commenced an investigation into alleged child sexual offences committed against a teenage boy between 2016 and 2020.
As a result of extensive inquiries, police arrested a 48-year-old man at Gosford Police Station later that same day (Friday 26 February 2021).
The man was charged with 10 offences, including:
- Aggravated indecent assault – offender in company
- Produce child abuse material (x2)
- Aggravated intentionally do sexual act with child aged between 10 and 16 years – DV (x3)
- Supply prohibited drug to child under 16 years by adult
- Intentionally sexually touch child aged between 10 and 16 years
- Intentionally incite child aged between 10 and 16 years sexual touch
- Do sexual act child under 16 years filmed for abuse material
The 47-year-old woman was also charged with an additional 12 offences, including:
- Aggravated indecent assault – offender in company
- Aggravated sexual intercourse person aged between 10 and 14 years (x2)
- Supply prohibited drug to child under 16 years by adult
- Aggravated sexual intercourse child aged between 10 and 16 years
- Aggravated intentionally do sexual act with child aged between 10 and 16 years (x3)
- Do sexual act child under 16 years filmed for abuse material
- Intentionally sexually touch child aged between 10 and 16 years (x3)
Police will allege in court the 47-year-old woman and the 48-year-old man sexually abused a teenage boy, who is known to them, on several occasions at a Narara home between 2016 and 2020.
Both the man and woman remain refused bail and are next due to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 7 May 2021.
As investigations continued, detectives began investigating an alleged kidnapping and assault of a 16-year-old boy, which was reported to have occurred about 11.30pm on Thursday 11 February 2021.
After extensive inquiries, police arrested a 17-year-old boy at a Narara home last Wednesday (10 March 2021), and three other men – aged 17, 18 and 19 – about 7.30am yesterday (Thursday 18 March 2021) at homes in Narara and San Remo.
Both 17-year-olds and the 18-year-old have been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasion actual bodily harm.
One of the 17-year-olds was refused bail and appeared at a children's court yesterday (Thursday 18 March 2021).
The other 17-year-old and the 18-year-old have been refused bail to appear before a children's court today (Friday 19 March 2021).
The 19-year-old man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possess prohibited drug, he was refused bail and appeared at Gosford Local Court yesterday (Thursday 18 March 2021), where he was formally bail refused to reappear at the same court on Friday 9 April 2021.
The 48-year-old man has also been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasion actual bodily harm.
Police will allege in court the five men took the 16-year-old to a Narara home and assaulted him for a period of time.
Brisbane Water Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Brett Greentree, has praised the thorough work of detectives involved in Strike Force Bloomsbury.
"What began as a drug supply investigation very quickly transformed as detectives continued to examine the items seized during the February search warrant.
"I am extremely proud of the exceptional work from the Brisbane Water detectives, their tenacity has resulted in two persons, who we allege posed a threat to our community's safety, behind bars and facing very serious indictable offences.
"I would continue to encourage any person who wishes to report any incidence of sexual violence to contact police.
"Our officers are committed to ensuring all persons can live in a safe environment both at home and in the community," Det Supt Greentree said.
Investigations under Strike Force Bloomsbury are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Bloomsbury detectives is urged to 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.
