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Monday, July 21, 2025

Brisbane man, 71, arrested after alleged attempt to meet school girl

A 71-year-old Redbank Plains man has been charged with child sex offences following investigations by specialist Queensland Police child protection detectives attached to Strike Force Argos.

The man was taken into custody yesterday afternoon when it is alleged he attended a Brisbane commercial address to meet what he believed was a school aged girl.

Instead, he was met by detectives from Argos and taken into custody.

It will be alleged the man utilised an online chat forum to speak with the ‘child’, sending photographs of himself naked and engaging in behaviour police will allege constitute grooming.

Police will allege his behaviour escalated to having the ‘child’ meet him for sex at the location, including bringing gifts, which were seized at the scene.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the man’s home, where they allegedly seized child exploitation material.

The 71-year-old man has been charged with two counts of grooming children under 16 years (expose to indecent matter) and one count each of use internet to procure child under 16 and intentionally meet, and possessing child exploitation material.

He has been granted conditional bail conditions to reappear in court on June 5.

Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson of the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group’s unit Argos, said undercover officers are working around the clock online to detect and apprehend those who seek to harm children in our communities.

“Every day, day and night – to those predators, expect the next ‘child’ you message, to be a member of Argos,” Detective Inspector Donaldson said.

“This arrest is a reminder to parents of the dangers of online predators, and how crucial caregivers and trusted loved ones are in teaching children about online safety.

“Young people need to believe that nothing is too embarrassing or serious that they can’t come to you for support, advice or to report behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.

“Supervision and communication are crucial to prevention – have the conversation with your children about how to stay safe online and the dangers of engaging with online ‘friends’ who they have never met face-to-face.

“Even if an app tells you a social media picture ‘disappears’, everything you do online leaves a footprint and could be seen by people and predators across the world.

“Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of children, if you encounter suspicious or inappropriate behaviour towards a child online, we urge you to report it immediately,” Detective Inspector Donaldson said.

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