https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-24/sydney-priest-charged-child-sex-offences-...24th Dec 2024.
NSW Police charge priest with child sex offences after he allegedly groomed teenage boy online.
In short:
Retired priest Guy Norman Hartcher was arrested in Pendle Hill and charged with child sex offences on Monday.
Police allege the 77-year-old tried to meet with a teenage boy after sharing "sexually explicit photographs" and child abuse material.
Guy Norman Hartcher
What's next?
Mr Hartcher was refused bail and is expected to appear before Parramatta Local Court today.
A retired Sydney priest has been charged with child sex offences after he allegedly groomed a 14-year-old boy online.
NSW Police arrested Guy Norman Hartcher in Pendle Hill around 12:15pm on Monday.
According to police, Facebook had identified an account sharing child abuse material overseas that was allegedly operated by the 77-year-old.
The account was shut down and referred to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, who referred it to NSW Police in early December.
An investigation into the religious leader was then launched under Strike Force Trawler.
Detectives purporting to be a 14-year-old boy allegedly communicated with Mr Hartcher on the internet.
Mr Hartcher was charged with use carriage service-procure under 16 years for sex with another and use carriage service to send indecent material to person under 16.
'There is no more serious or grave offence'
Superintendent Doherty said the alleged offences were "extremely serious".
"We have a 77-year-old male who we allege has turned up to meet a 14-year-old boy for sexual act. There is no more serious or grave offence against a child," she said.
Catholic church
https://dungoggresfordcatholic.org.au/