Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged two people following an investigation into alleged historical child grooming under Strike Force Gandell.
Strike Force Gandell was established in September 2023 to investigate reports a woman had been allegedly groomed as a child by the founder of a religious group and his partner.
On Thursday 7 March 2024, strike force detectives executed two search warrants – one at the headquarters of a religious group in Bangalee on the South Coast, and the other at a unit in Sydney’s CBD.
In Bangalee, police searched a home and two sheds on the property, where they located and seized a number of items relevant to their investigation.
Following further extensive inquiries, about 12.30pm today (Monday 11 March 2024), strike force detectives attended an address in Sydney’s CBD, where they arrested a 73-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman.
The pair were taken to Day Street Police Station, where the man was charged with groom child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity, groom child for unlawful sexual activity, aggravated – incite person do sexual act with etc them, and two counts of fail to comply with extended/interim supervision order.
The woman was charged with groom child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity and groom child for unlawful sexual activity.
Both were refused bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 12 March 2024).
Police will allege in court the pair allegedly groomed a woman – who is known to them – from the age of six-years-old.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or . Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
