A 58-year-old man from the NSW Mid North Coast will face Port Macquarie Local Court today charged with accessing and producing child abuse material.
The man came to police attention after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from Europol relating to Australian users accessing child abuse material via a website.
The man was arrested as AFP officers executed a search warrant at his home near Kempsey yesterday. Investigators seized multiple items, including a mobile phone and DVDs suspected to contain child abuse material, as well as a shotgun, rifle, knuckle duster and a firearm silencer.
AFP Child Protection investigator Emily McFarlane said the arrest is yet another reminder of how prevalent online child abuse is in Australia.
“Unfortunately, online child abuse material is not rare, but the AFP and other law enforcement agencies will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those preying on children,” Constable McFarlane said.
“Parents, caregivers and the community are the first line of defence when it comes to protecting our children. We need you to educate yourself and your children about online safety.”
The man was charged with one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material; two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service; one count of producing child abuse material; four counts of possessing child abuse material; along with a number of firearms offences.
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years’ imprisonment.
