‘Sickening abuse': Darwin man allegedly paid to watch children raped live
Six children in the Philippines are now safe after authorities uncovered a disturbing case of online child abuse allegedly orchestrated by a Darwin man from a yacht and vehicle in the Northern Territory.
The man faced Darwin Local Court on Tuesday charged with five serious offences, including allegedly instructing the abuse of children as young as six via live video from a remote location.
The investigation began after Australian Border Force officers allegedly discovered child abuse material on the man's mobile phone during a baggage search when he arrived at Darwin Airport on New Year's Day.
The matter was referred to the Northern Territory Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NT JACET) who later executed a search warrant at Dinah Beach on January 3.
The man was arrested after being found living between a vehicle and a yacht.
Police allege forensic examination of his mobile device uncovered sexually explicit images and videos of children, along with video calls showing the man instructing facilitators in the Philippines to carry out child abuse while he watched live.
NT JACET investigators passed information to Australian Federal Police officers in Manila, prompting a Philippines National Police operation in April. That led to the arrest of two suspects and the removal of six children from abusive environments.
The Darwin man has been charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia (maximum 20 years' imprisonment if convicted), two counts of sexual activity with a child outside Australia (maximum 20 years), and one count of possessing child abuse material (maximum 15 years).
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said protecting children was one of the AFP's highest priorities.
'All victims of child sexual exploitation experience lifelong harm because of the selfish actions of their abusers,' Superintendent Davis said.
'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.'
Philippines National Police Brigadier General Portia Manalad praised the co-operation between agencies.
'The PNP Women and Children Protection Centre will continue to locate alleged offenders and rescue victims with the assistance of our foreign partners,' she said.
NT Police Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said the community could be confident police were committed to pursuing offenders and protecting vulnerable children.
ABF Commander Tracie Griffin said the case highlighted the critical role of frontline officers.
'Six children are safe because of their diligence and the work of our domestic and international law enforcement partners,' she said.
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