A 33-year-old Sydney man has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the Sydney District Court today (27 April 2022) for sharing child abuse material online.
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.
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 Bankstown 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
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting child exploitation and abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child exploitation and abuse are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse and online exploitation, there are support services available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
