Tasmanian serial child sex abuser jailed after AFP investigation

A Tasmanian man has been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for abusing children overseas.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty in the Hobart Supreme Court to 55 Commonwealth and state offences, including having sexual intercourse with a child under 16, encouraging a child under 16 to have sexual intercourse, inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and producing child pornography outside Australia.

The investigation into the man began in 2017 after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) received 14 reports from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an online user sending child abuse material via social media.

In March 2018, the man attempted to travel to Indonesia, prompting a warning from the Australian Border Force (ABF).

He was denied entry into Indonesia and upon returning to Australia, ABF officials inspected his luggage.

Officers seized a mobile phone, on which child pornography was later found.

AFP Detective Aaron Hardcastle said the man was arrested and charged later that month.

He will be eligible for parole after serving six years of his sentence.

“Creating, sharing and possessing child abuse material is not only abhorrent, but it has profound and long-lasting consequences for the lives of the children who are victims of it,” Hardcastle said.

“The AFP works tirelessly with partners to protect children wherever they live, arresting and prosecuting anyone involved in harming them and stealing their innocence.”

Anyone with information about individuals involved in child abuse is urged to contact the ACCCE.

If you know of any current abuse or a child in danger, call the police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing child sexual abuse and online exploitation, there is support available.