A 61-year-old Tasmanian man has been charged with child abuse and bestiality offences after authorities executed a search warrant at a Hobart property yesterday.
The Tasmanian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), comprising Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tasmania Police members, charged the man with possessing significant amounts of child abuse material.
“Tasmanian JACET executed the search warrant at the man’s Hobart home following reports to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States,” police said in a joint statement.
“Investigators seized a mobile phone and a laptop computer from the property for further forensic analysis. Police will allege in court that folders found on the seized mobile phone contain child abuse material and bestiality content.
“Police also seized a number of items from the boot of the accused’s car, which police suspect may be indicative of additional offending or plans for further offending.”
The man has been charged with possessing child abuse material accessed using a carriage service and possessing bestiality product.
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years imprisonment.
He faced the Hobart Magistrates Court yesterday where he was granted conditional bail to reappear on March 30.
AFP Commander Todd Hunter said the AFP and its JACET partner Tasmania Police were committed to keeping vulnerable children safe.
“The items found in the car are particularly of concern in this context and our investigations are ongoing to identify any other possible offences,” he said.
“The Tasmania JACET will continue to work together to track down and prosecute anyone who seeks to bring harm to any child.
“That includes those who access and share images and photographs of children being abused by other people. “Today’s arrest is testament to our resolute efforts to ensure children aren’t re-victimised by those seeking to derive enjoyment from their suffering.”
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
