Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a Tamworth man for allegedly paying for and streaming the live abuse of children overseas under Strike Force Trawler.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by Sex Crimes Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
In July 2025, strike force detectives received a referral from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) regarding a 69-year-old man who was suspected of purchasing live child abuse material from the Philippines.
Following extensive inquiries, about 8.20am yesterday (Monday 8 December 2025), strike force detectives arrested a 69-year-old man in West Tamworth.
During a search of his home, detectives seized electronics allegedly containing child abuse media files.
He was taken to Tamworth Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of use carriage service-solicit child abuse material, use carriage service make available child abuse, three counts of possess etc child abuse data-use carriage service, two counts of possess child abuse material and possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance.
The man was refused bail to appear in Bail Division Local Court 5 today (Tuesday 9 December 2025), where police will allege the man was making payments to the Philippines to stream and record the live abuse of children.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into the distribution of child abuse material/ etc is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
