Jail for elderly Wollongong man whose perverted plan to meet with child was thwarted
An elderly man has been jailed for more than three years over a failed plan to meet and harm a child.
The 70-year-old Wollongong man had expressed a sexual attraction to children in a chat room, triggering an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation in 2022.
He also expressed a desire to commit sexual offences against children, AFP said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The man then made plans to meet an online user from the chat forum who allegedly had access to a minor,” AFP said on Wednesday.
“Unbeknown to the man, he was speaking to an AFP officer who was tracking him.”
The man was arrested at his Mount Warrigal home, which was raided by AFP officers executing multiple search warrants on October 13, 2022.
It is understood the man was living near a playground, which was visible in the background of AFP images of his arrest.
A laptop containing child abuse material was also seized from the home.
On October 8 last year, the man pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to groom another person to make it easier to procure persons under 16 to engage in sexual activity, possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, and transmitting child abuse material.
He was sentenced on Wednesday to a jail term of three years and four months, with a non-parole period of one year and eight months.
“This investigation should serve as a warning,” AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said.
“Planning or engaging in activities that seek to harm children has no place in Australian society.
“We cannot send a clearer message to offenders — if you engage in these abhorrent activities, the AFP will find you, and you will face the full force of the law.”
Originally published on 7NEWS
