A Central Coast man has been sentenced to six years in jail for watching live online child sexual abuse, with further police inquiries resulting in three children being removed from harm in the Philippines.
The man, 63, was handed a non-parole period of four years in Gosford District Court on Friday, September 25, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said.
He came to police attention after the AFP received a report about an online user engaging in conversations about child sex trafficking and possible live streaming.
Further inquiries identified the online user as the Central Coast man.
The AFP arrested the man and seized three devices during a search warrant at Wyongah on September 11 last year.
Further examination of the devices led to police locating a nine-minute screen recording of live online child sexual abuse, which the man had viewed.
The man had later wired the equivalent of $46 to a Filipino number.
Police also found conversations with a different Philippines-based individual in which an image and videos depicting child abuse were exchanged.
This intelligence was referred to the AFP's Manila Post, and then to the Philippines International Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC) and Philippines National Police (PNP).
PNP members conducted an operation in Bulacan, Philippines, on June 3, which resulted in the three minors being removed from harm.
A 43-year-old woman was charged with child exploitation offences.
The Central Coast man had pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual activity, other than sexual intercourse, with a child outside of Australia; using a carriage service to access child abuse material; and causing child abuse material to be transmitted using a carriage service.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said the case highlighted the strength of the AFP's Global Operations network and the enduring commitment of all law enforcement to protect children.
"Child sexual abuse is a borderless crime and cannot be tackled by one agency alone, and this result demonstrates the importance of sharing intelligence and resources with international partners," he said.
"Paying for live online child abuse fuels the demand for more exploitation, and this outcome is a reminder to predators that anything online can be traced."
Police Brigadier General Maria Sheila Porteno, Chief of the Women and Children Protection Center, said child protection knew no borders.
"Through the united efforts of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center, our international law enforcement partners, prosecutors, social workers, local government units and child-protection advocates, we are turning intelligence into action, rescue into recovery, and evidence into justice," she said.
"We will relentlessly pursue those who exploit children, dismantle the criminal networks behind these heinous crimes, and ensure that every rescued child receives the protection, care and support they deserve.
"To every offender, our message is clear: there is no safe haven. We will find you, bring you to justice and hold you fully accountable under the law."
Members of the public who have information about people who may be involved in child abuse are urged to contact the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation. Call triple zero in an emergency.
