Eight men arrested across NSW over alleged phone chat line about child sex abuse

Eight men have been arrested over a phone chat line where they allegedly shared and discussed child sexual abuse material.

The group of men, aged between 34 and 71, have been charged over their alleged involvement in the chat service after police searched homes around NSW including in Petersham, Cranebrook, Coffs Harbour, Shoal Bay, Gerroa, Surry Hills, and Stanmore.

A 40-year-old man was arrested and charged on Tuesday morning with five counts of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse. 

He was granted bail to appear in court on January 11.

The other seven men remain before the courts. 

The group of men aged between 34 and 71 have been charged over their alleged involvement

Police allege the group were using the chat service to spread and discuss material relating to child sex abuse. 

During the raids, mobile phones, other electronic devices and cannabis were found. 

Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, said the alleged offenders had tried to access some of the material. 

‘We will allege that each of the men arrested by detectives over the past month expressed desires to engage in sexual activity with children, and in some cases, attempted to access child abuse material from other users of the service,’ she said.

‘Producing, disseminating or possessing child abuse material are serious offences, and detectives will continue to dismantle these types of operations, so children are free from harmful situations, exploitation and abuse.’  

Eight men were arrested in the past month and remain before the courts

Police seized mobile phones, electronic devices and cannabis during the raids