New South Wales police have charged a children’s author over the alleged online grooming of children, under Strike Force Trawler. State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad force detectives launched an investigation in early May after receiving an interstate report a children’s author was allegedly communicating inappropriately with a child on online. During the investigation, the man allegedly sent inappropriate photos and videos to someone who he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
Detectives arrested a 41-year-old man and seized several electronic devices. The man was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with use carriage service to groom under 16 years old for sex and use carriage service procure less than 16 years old for sexual activity. Detectives allege the man used his position as a children’s author to engage inappropriately with children online. He was refused bail and appeared before Fairfield Local Court on Friday.