A well-known Sydney children’s author has been arrested and charged with online grooming offences, with police alleging he used his position as an author to communicate inappropriately with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl.
Footage released by NSW Police shows the man, 41, being led from an address at Old Guildford in Sydney’s west in handcuffs after officers executed a search warrant on Friday.
Detectives from Strike Force Trawler launched an investigation into the man in early May after receiving an interstate report the author was allegedly communicating inappropriately with a child online.
Police will allege in court the man sent inappropriate photos and videos to someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl.
It will be further alleged the man used his position as a children’s author to engage inappropriately with children online.
The man was arrested on Friday morning and taken to Fairfield Police Station.
During the search, police also seized several electronic devices from the residence.
The man has been charged with use carriage service to groom under 16 years old for sex and use carriage service procure less than 16 years old for sexual activity.
He was refused bail and appeared before Fairfield Local Court on Friday.
Investigations under Strike Force Trawler continue.