A Sydney man appeared in the NSW Bail Division Court today (2 March, 2026) charged with allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a child while overseas.
AFP inquiries began after the man, 22, arrived at Sydney Airport on a flight from Türkiye on Saturday (28 February, 2026).
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted the man and examined his luggage - including a mobile phone and laptop - after intelligence-led screening.
It will be alleged the man had two videos of child abuse material on his phone. One of the videos allegedly captured the man engaging in sexual activity with a child.
The matter was referred to the AFP, which charged the man with:
- One count of possess or control child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of sexual activity (other than sexual intercourse) with child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.9(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
These offences carry maximum penalties of 15 years' and 20 years' imprisonment, respectively.
The man was refused bail to appear before NSW Bail Division Court on Sunday (1 March, 2026). He subsequently appeared before the same court today (2 March, 2026) where he was formally refused bail. He is next scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on 29 April, 2026.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said the AFP was committed to working with its law enforcement partners to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.
"If you seek to harm and exploit children, wherever they are in the world, you will be on the AFP's radar," Det-Supt Needham said.
"The investigators involved in these cases are committed and relentless in their pursuit of the alleged criminals who prey on our children for their own sexual gratification."
ABF Superintendent Elke West said ABF officers on the frontline were routinely locating abhorrent child abuse material on digital devices.
"Our officers' role is to assess potential threats to the Australian community - this deplorable material and those producing and importing it have no place in our society," Supt West said.
"We will protect the Australian community, including those most vulnerable - children both on and offshore. This vile behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will act swiftly and united in our stance against these alleged perpetrators."
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 are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
