A Sydney man was sentenced to 17 years and four months’ imprisonment in the Gosford District Court after an AFP investigation revealed the man sexually abused three children.
The man, 29, was identified through a nationwide investigation known as – an AFP-led, child protection operation.
AFP Eastern Command Child Protection investigators executed a search warrant on 24 February 2021, at the man’s Tregear home, where they seized mobile phones containing child abuse images and videos.
A forensic examination of the phones revealed self-produced child abuse material, where the man had taken images and videos of himself sexually abusing children. He also shared the abuse material with others through instant messaging applications.
AFP Constable Emily McFarlane said Operation Arkstone revealed the abhorrent disregard offenders had for the suffering and lasting trauma inflicted on child victims.
“No child should be subjected to such acts. It is our duty to protect their childhood and ensure their abusers never have the opportunity to inflict more harm,” Constable MacFarlane said.
“Our child protection investigators are unyielding in their pursuit of child sex offenders and will do everything in their power to stop them from stealing the innocence of more victims.”
The man pleaded guilty to 12 child abuse charges and one bestiality charge on 19 August 2022.
- One count of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, contrary to section 66A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14, contrary to section 66C(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
- Three counts of indecent assault child under 16 years of age, contrary to section 61M(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of incite a child above the age of 10 years and under the age of 16 years to sexually touch his person, contrary to section 66DB(b) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of meeting a child under 14, following grooming for sexual purposes, contrary to section 66EB (2A) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- Two counts of use child for the production of child abuse material, contrary to section 91G of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of attempt to commit bestiality, contrary to section 80 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- 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 1995 (Cth);
- Two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The following six charges were also taken into account during the man’s sentencing.
- Two counts of commit an indecent act with or towards a person under 10, contrary to section 61O(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of use child above 14 years for the production of child abuse material, contrary to section 91G(2)(a) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14, contrary to section 66C(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16, contrary to section 474.27A(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He was sentenced to 17 years and four months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of eight years and 10 months. He is eligible for parole in December 2029.
Operation Arkstone was launched in February 2020 when investigators from Eastern Command Child Protection Operations arrested a then 30-year-old Central Coast man for child abuse offences. The initial arrest followed a report to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) from the United States’ ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The digital trail from that first arrest in February 2020 has to date identified 56 child victims in Australia, who have been removed from harm. 26 Australian alleged offenders have been charged with 1359 offences.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the 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 and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or . If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety.
An award-winning podcast launched last year by the ACCCE ‘Closing The Net’ is working to change that, showcasing that knowledge is power and that our only chance to help prevent this issue is if we bring a ‘whole-of-community’ response.
The podcast series offers valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online. Listen to the podcast on your favourite streaming platform.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at .
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at , an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
