A 46-year-old Mareeba man has been charged with child sex offences following investigations by the Tablelands Child Protection and Investigation Unit and Argos.
The internet has brought the world to our children's fingertips, providing access to vast resources of information and the opportunity to communicate with people from around the world.
Smart devices and social media have become part of our children's lives and they have strongly influenced how our children create, share and exchange information with others.
Unfortunately, these same devices and applications have been embraced by sex offenders, who have proven to be exceptionally skilled at using them to gain access to children.
Detectives from Tablelands Child Protection and Investigation Unit charged a Mareeba man after information was provided to the Mareeba School Based Police Officer.
On Thursday, April 22, a search warrant was executed at an address on Roiko Road where officers seized the man's computers, mobile phones and a camera.
It will be alleged the man has made contact with an undercover officer from Task Force Argos posing as a 15-year-old child on a social media application, engaging in behaviour that will be alleged constitutes the grooming of a child.
The 46-year-old man is expected to appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on May 10, charged with four counts of indecent treatment of child and grooming child under 16, as well as one count each of using internet to procure children under 16, possessing child exploitation material, produce dangerous drugs, possess dangerous drugs and possess drug utensils.
Resources and advice
- eSafety Commissioner a key partner of the QPS in enhancing online safety, with a comprehensive suite of information, resources and reporting tools to ensure children have a safe experience online.
- Who's chatting to your kids? Further QPS advice and information about reducing online risks for children.
- Out of the dark #doiknowu a campaign by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) supported by the QPS and Department of Education, providing resources to help young people stay safe online.
- Think U Know is a partnership between Australian Federal Police, Commonwealth Bank, Datacom, Microsoft, State and Territory Police and Neighbourhood Watch. It provides information on topics including sexting, cyber bullying, online child exploitation, online privacy, and what to do when something goes wrong.
