A 34-year-old man from Cessnock in New South Wales, has been charged following an investigation into the alleged possession of child abuse material and attempted sexual intercourse with a child.
In June 2019, detectives from the New South Wales Police Force State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a man attempted to sexually assault an eight-year-old girl known to him.
Officers from the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NSW-JACET), which comprises of members from the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force assisted with the investigation.
Following extensive inquiries by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad and NSW-JACET, detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at a home in the Hunter region at about 1pm on Saturday, 30 November.
Following the arrest, officers searched two homes in the Hunter region, where detectives seized several electronic storage devices.
The 34-year-old Cessnock man was subsequently charged with offences including:
- five counts of attempting sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years (NSW)
- procuring or grooming a child under 16 years for sexual activity (NSW)
- three counts of producing child abuse material (NSW)
- possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- two counts of using a carriage to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
The maximum penalty for attempting sexual intercourse with a child in New South Wales is 25 years imprisonment.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
