WA man charged with 111 child abuse related offences
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police
A 70-year-old man accused of paying to see children being sexually abused live on camera is expected to appear in court today (5 August 2021) to face more than 100 criminal charges after being charged with an additional 41 offences.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) first arrested and charged the man from WA’s Mid-West in September 2020 with two counts of possessing child abuse material.
Digital analysis of seized devices led to him being charged in April 2021 with 68 offences relating to the alleged ordering of Live-Distance Child Abuse, which he allegedly watched from his Geraldton home.
Ongoing inquiries by the WA JACET has resulted in the identification of 41 additional offences over the alleged procuring of children for live-stream sexual abuse, and the man is now facing a total of 111 offences.
The 70-year-old, who is remanded in custody, was summonsed to appear before Geraldton Magistrates court today (5 August 2021) for the first time on the new charges:
- 10 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.9(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Eight counts of procuring a child outside Australia for sexual activity, contrary to section 272.14 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- 14 counts of using a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Five counts of using a carriage service to solicit child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Three counts of using a carriage service to procure a child for sexual activity, contrary to section 474.26(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to engage in sexual activity with a child, contrary to section 474.25A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences range up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The WA JACET, which comprises Australian Federal Police and WA Police Force officers, is liaising with AFP officers to identify child victims and remove them from harm, as well as identify any alleged child abuse facilitators.
AFP Detective Superintendent Graeme Marshall said we are working tirelessly with partners around the world to protect children from these abhorrent crimes and take action against perpetrators.
“Anyone who pays for children to be sexually abused is just as responsible for the life-long harm it causes as the people who are physically hurting them,” Detective Superintendent Marshall said.
“Being in another country makes no difference to your guilt and you are not anonymous – we can identify you.”
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media: (02) 5126 9297
WA Police Force Media: (08) 9222 1011