Cooma resident charged with child abuse offences after AFP probe

A 69-year-old Cooma resident had sexualised conversations online and obtained child abuse material, police allege.

John Benedict Brooks appeared in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday charged with the following offences:

• Using a carriage service to transmit child abuse matter to himself;
  
• Using a carriage service to access child abuse material;
  
• Possessing child abuse material;
  
• Contravening an order made by a magistrate.

The maximum penalty for each of the child abuse offences is 15 years in jail.

The Australian Federal Police arrested 69-year-old John Benedict Brooks in his Cooma home and have charged him with child abuse offences. Picture supplied

The other charge alleges Brooks did not provide password access to a USB, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Brooks has not entered any pleas yet.

The case will return to court in November and Brooks has been excused from attending on the next occasion.

AFP officers seized a computer and USB flash drives, among other electronics. Picture supplied

The Australian Federal Police used a warrant to search his Cooma home on June 6.

AFP Child Protection Operations members found numerous electronic devices and USBs which are alleged to contain child abuse material.

Brooks was arrested and initially faced Queanbeyan Local Court on June 7.

Some of the apparatus seized, including external hard drives, which police alleged were used to commit child abuse offences. Picture supplied

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said people who watched or possessed child abuse material supported an industry that physically exploited and traumatised children.

"Every time this material is viewed, it perpetuates the cycle of abuse against these children," he said.

"This is not a victimless crime. The AFP and its partners are relentless in pursuing and prosecuting anyone involved in the harm of children."

Only about half of parents talk to their children about staying safe online, research from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation in 2020 showed.

AFP officers found a room with multiple screens and electronics during a search of the Cooma home. Picture supplied

Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Support is available for those who may be distressed:

• Phone Lifeline: 13 11 14
  
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800