A 57-year-old Port Macquarie man was formally refused bail after appearing in Port Macquarie Local Court on alleged online grooming charges.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mikhail Robert Gordon, of Wyandra Crescent was not required to appear in court before magistrate Georgina Darcy on Wednesday, October 21.
Prosecutor Sgt Heery told the court the Commonwealth DPP had asked for an adjournment in the matter to December.
Gordon was represented by Legal Aid in court.
He is charged with, use carriage service to procure child under 16 years for sexual activity, use carriage service to solicit child abuse material and possess/control child abuse material using carriage service.
Gordon was charged by Strike Force Trawler after an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit.
The CEIU began engaging online with Gordon.
Police will allege that Gordon believed they were speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually explicit acts they wished to perform on the child.
It will be further alleged the man made arrangements to meet the girl for sex.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested Gordon at a beach in Port Macquarie on Wednesday October 7, 2020.
Investigators, with assistance from officers attached to Mid North Coast Child Abuse Unit and Mid North Coast Police District, executed a search warrant at a home nearby and seized electronic devices which will undergo further examination.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Gordon will next appear in the Port Macquarie Local Court via audio visual link on December 17.
More news from the courts:
Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.