The 21-year-old Canberra man was arrested at Sydney Airport as he was about to board a flight to South America. Photo MDRX (Wiki)
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged child abuse.
A man accused of importing child abuse material into Australia was arrested shortly before he was to fly to South America.
The 21-year-old man from Ngunnawal in the ACT was granted bail over the allegations.
When he returned to Australia from an overseas trip in April, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined his baggage at Sydney Airport and seized a mobile phone for further examination, a spokesperson for the ABF and Australian Federal Police (AFP) said.
Border Force then notified police about possible alleged child abuse material on the phone and police began an investigation.
Earlier this week, the ABF told the AFP the man was due to depart Sydney for Santiago, Chile.
Police officers arrested him before he could travel, transported him to a Sydney police station and handed him five charges.
They also raided his home and seized an electronic device for forensic examination.
The man faces three counts of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material and single counts of importing child abuse material into Australia, as well as possessing child abuse material.
He faced the Sydney Downing Centre on Wednesday (4 June) where he was granted bail on a list of conditions, including that that he report daily to Queanbeyan Police Station, surrender his passport, not be near any school or childcare centre, not contact or be in the company of any child under 16 and not access the internet.
His matter will return to Sydney Local Court on 30 July.
The man has not been named by Region for legal reasons as the details of the allegations were not immediately known.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
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