Cop who taught kids how to stay safe from online sexual predators is charged with having sex with children
- Senior Constable Dean Michael Perkins, 43, was arrested on Thursday
- He faces charges from alleged acts between 2007 and 2018 in Western Sydney
A police officer who taught kids about online safety in schools has been charged with paedophile offences.
Senior Constable Dean Michael Perkins, 43, was arrested on Thursday and faces charges from alleged acts between 2007 and last year.
As part of his job with NSW police, Perkins gave educational talks on cyber safety and bullying to students at a number of Sydney schools.
He has been charged with a number of offences, including aggravated act of indecency, two counts of aggravated indecent assault and attempted sexual intercourse with a child under 10, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
He is also facing charges of grooming a child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity, two counts of having sexual intercourse with a child aged 10 to 14 and peeping or prying.
Senior Constable Perkins appeared via video at Penrith Local Court last Friday, and was seen shaking his head as his string of charges was read out.
His barrister Richard Waldersee made an application for bail on the grounds that he was vulnerable in custody due to his job as a police officer, but he was refused bail.
‘He’s been in a single … cell. He’s had cell doors kicked by other inmates. He has heard people call out, ‘There he is,’ ‘ Mr Waldersee said.
‘He has seen himself on television while in custody. He is certainly objectively at risk being in custody; he feels that very much.’