By Alesha Capone
A 52-year-old man has been sentenced more than 18 years in prison, after sexually abusing children in the Philippines.
The Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) executed a search warrant at the man’s property in Truganina on 15 June, 2017, and later charged the man in relation to 35 serious child sex and exploitation offences.
The offender, who was employed as an international flight attendant with a commercial airline, travelled to the Philippines on a regular basis in both private and professional capacities.
He offended on 25 separate occasions across a seven-year period, between 2010 and 2017.
JACET officers identified 26 girls in the Philippines, aged between 12 and 17 years old, as a result of the investigation.
The officers utilised the Australian Federal Police’s International Network to engage with the Philippine National Police to locate victims for welfare
purposes.
The man pleaded guilty to the following offences in Melbourne’s Magistrates Court on February:
Three charges of persistent sexual abuse of a child under 16 outside of Australia.
Seven charges of engage in sexual intercourse with a child under 16 outside of Australia.
12 charges of production child pornography material outside of Australia.
Eight charges of encourage to procure a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia.
Three charges of procure a child for sexual activity outside of Australia.
One charge of importation child pornography material.
One charge of possess child pornography material.
The offender was yesterday sentenced to 18-and-a-half years’ imprisonment with a minimum parole period of 14 years.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Northern Command Lesa Gale said offences against children were increasing, and international borders were often no hindrance to predators.
“Commonwealth authorities are dedicated to fighting child sexual exploitation both abroad and at home and bringing those who commit these offences to justice,” she said.
The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team is comprised of investigators from the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police targeting the national and international influence of child sexual exploitation offences.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in the possession or sharing of child exploitation material are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) via www.accce.gov.au/report.
