29-05-2025
Man could face 95 years in prison as cops make horror discovery on his phone
A 68-year-old man was charged with multiple offences after police made a shocking discovery during a random bag search at an Australian airport after he returned from abroad
A man could face 95 years behind bars after police allegedly made a horrific discovery on his phone during a random bag check.
A 68-year-old man has been charged with child sexual abuse crimes after cops reportedly found child abuse materials, which included sexually explicit photos, videos and even disgusting video calls to facilitators - making them livestream the sexual abuse of young children. The suspect was randomly stopped and checked when he returned to Darwin Airport, in Australia. This discovery prompted police to issue a search warrant for several locations the man had been known to live at.
He had allegedly instructed people in the Philippines to sexually abuse children, some as young as six, while he watched online.
The Australian man had returned to the country on New Year's Day and he was captured by cops on January 3 in their operation. He was pictured being arrested in a carpark by cops.
The man was charged with five serious offences after cops uncovered an alleged online abuse case. These included two counts of sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia, two counts of sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and one count of possessing child abuse material.
If the 68-year-old is found guilty of all five of these charges, he could face up to 95 years in prison. Two suspects were also arrested in the Philippines, and six children were moved from abusive environments, after Australian investigators shared information with cops in Manila.
The Australian suspect appeared in court on January 7 and was remanded in custody until a second hearing on May 27. The suspect did not show up in court but he was represented by a lawyer. His case was adjourned until June 24 to give the prosecution time to gather "outstanding material".
Australian Border Force Superintendent Greg Davis said protecting children was one of the agencies top priorities. He said: "All victims of child sexual exploitation experience lifelong harm because of the selfish actions of their abusers.
"The AFP will continue to work closely with local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect children from sickening abuse and together identify offenders and bring them before the courts."
ABF Commander Tracie Griffin said the border officers at Darwin Airport were key to protecting children in this case.
Griffin said: "I want to commend the work of the ABF officers involved in the alleged discovery of child abuse material on this man's phone. Six children are safe because of their diligence and the work of our domestic and international law enforcement partners."
Philippines National Police Brigadier General Portia Manalad praised the cooperation between the agencies. She said: "The PNP Women and Children Protection Centre will continue to locate alleged offenders and rescue victims with the assistance of our foreign partners."
