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70yo Geraldton man faces child abuse material charges after police raid on home

Staff reporterThe West Australian
A Geraldton man, 70, is due to face court charged with possession of child abuse material.
Camera IconA Geraldton man, 70, is due to face court charged with possession of child abuse material. Credit: Getty Images

A 70-year-old Geraldton man is set to face court on Thursday charged with possessing child abuse material following a police raid on his home.

Officers from the WA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) arrested and charged the man on September 21 after searching his home.

Police allege investigators and digital forensic experts found child abuse material on two electronic devices. A detailed examination of the devices remains ongoing.

The man has been charged with two counts of possess child abuse material obtained through a carriage service and is due to front Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Each offence comes with a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail.

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JACET comprises of Australian Federal Police and WA Police Force investigators, and team member, AFP Sergeant Joel Van Den Brun, said the appetite for child abuse material was sadly on the rise.

“If you access or trade these videos and images online, or pay to watch a livestream of children being abused in another country, you are complicit in the physical abuse of children,” he said.

“The AFP and our partners are committed to identifying anyone involved in the harm of children, whether they are in Australia or overseas, no matter their age or personal circumstances – police scrutiny is at an all-time high.

“It’s only a matter of time before we come knocking on your door.”

Anyone with information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. People can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.

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