CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses alleged child sexual abuse.
A retired Catholic priest has been arrested in Sydney after allegedly attempting to groom a teenage boy online, following a police investigation.
77-year-old Guy Norman Hartcher, was taken into custody in Pendle Hill after police claim he engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy.
The case began when Facebook identified an account sharing inappropriate content overseas. The social media platform referred the matter to the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, which then alerted Australian authorities.
Detectives from Strike Force Trawler, a specialised child exploitation unit, conducted an online sting operation. Posing as a teenage boy, investigators interacted with Hartcher, who allegedly shared explicit photographs and discussed sexual acts he wanted to commit.
On Monday, Hartcher arrived at a predetermined location in Pendle Hill, believing he was meeting a minor. Instead, he was immediately arrested by waiting investigators.
He was charged with using a carriage service to procure a person under 16 for sexual activity and sending indecent material to a minor.
On Tuesday at Parramatta Local Court, Hartcher was granted bail with strict conditions, including daily reporting to Eastwood police station, no mobile phone or internet-capable devices, staying 500 metres away from schools and childcare centres, and no contact with children under 16.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty spoke to reporters on Tuesday emphasising the importance of online safety, urging parents to monitor children’s online interactions.
“The internet is like the real world. There are places that your children can go on their own and places that they should be accompanied by you,” she said per News.com.au.
“Parents should always be aware of who their children are speaking to, and make sure that their children know if they are speaking with anyone that is asking them to do something that they know is not right, that they should go to their parents or a trusted adult.”
Investigations under Strike Force Trawler will remain ongoing.
Lead image: NSW Police/ iStock
Help is available.
- If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
- If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
- Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
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