Accused pedophile posed as welfare worker
A Sydney man sexually abused six children, including some he met while masquerading as a welfare worker in Vanuatu, police allege.
The 50-year-old man will face Liverpool Local Court in Sydney on Thursday on charges of sexually abusing children from a church group, a junior baseball team and a school for underprivileged boys in Vanuatu.
Police swooped on the technician at his Chipping Norton home in Sydney's south-west on Thursday morning.
The man was alone at his home when police made the arrest.
The man allegedly brought a number of children from Vanuatu to Australia on funded holidays, where further offences were committed, police said.
The man befriended his alleged victims and their families through his involvement with the church group and his position as a baseball coach.
The alleged assaults span a period of two decades.
He has been charged with 19 offences relating to aggravated indecent assault and sexual intercourse with six children aged between 14 and 16.
Detective Sergeant Graham Hibbs said the range of offences began in the early 90s with the latest as recently as two months ago.
"The allegations put forward are very disturbing because the person was close with family members (of victims)," he said.
He said the man allegedly spent a number of weeks in Vanuatu, where he pretended to be a welfare worker, handing out toys to the school boys before molesting them.
Police were tipped off in May and Interpol worked with Australian Federal Police and NSW police.
"We have been in contact with Interpol since May this year. We can't thank them enough," Det Sgt Hibbs said.
"Our inquiries are continuing and we would like to hear from anyone who may have information in connection with these matters to come forward and contact police."
