A 71-year-old Ipswich man has been charged with child sex offences following a covert investigation by Argos detectives.
The man is accused of attempting to meet up with who he believed to be a school-aged girl in a Brisbane shopping centre for sexual purposes.
Instead, he was met by detectives from Argos and taken into custody.
Police allege the man spoke with the ‘child’ on an online chat forum, sent photographs of himself naked and engaged in grooming behaviour.
It’s alleged his behaviour escalated to having the ‘child’ meet him for sex at the location, including bringing gifts and condoms, which were seized at the scene.
Detectives executed a search warrant at the man’s home, where it will be alleged child exploitation material was located.
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.
His bail was refused, and he appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 26 where he was released on bail conditions to reappear on June 5.
WATCH ARREST:
Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson of the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group’s unit Argos says undercover officers are working around the clock online.
“Every day, day and night – to those predators, expect the next ‘child’ you message, to be a member of Argos,” Detective Inspector Donaldson says.
“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.”
