SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
A 33-year-old Sydney man has been sentenced to three years jail for sharing child abuse material online – his arrest in 2020 followed a tip-off from New Zealand Police.
The man was charged in August 2020 after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received information from New Zealand Police that an online messaging application user “was conversing about his desire to sexually abuse young boys” Australian Federal Police said in a statement today.
ACCCE covert operatives took control of an online messaging application account that New Zealand Police had been using to engage with the man.
AFP Eastern Command Child Protection Operations investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s western Sydney home after linking the 33-year-old to the online messaging application account. During the search warrant police seized two mobile devices linked with the online messaging application account.
The man was charged with transmit child abuse material, consisting of six videos, and was found guilty by a jury in December 2020 after a trial.
He was today sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. He will be eligible for parole in April 2024.
AFP Detective acting Inspector Chris Jessop said the investigation highlighted how closely police around the world worked together to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.
“Our investigators work tirelessly to identify offenders, stop their illegal activities and ensure they are prosecuted,” he said.
The AFP is also urging the public to help it solve cold case child abuse investigations through its Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object initiative. The smallest clue can often help solve a case.
The world-leading initiative, is centred on the publishing of non-confrontational images that can be seen in child exploitation online material such as pieces of clothing or bedding.
Australian investigators believe the images are linked to victims in the Asia Pacific Region, including Australia, and are calling on the community to view the images and make a report at www.accce.gov.au/trace
