A MAGISTRATE has refused to release a man allegedly caught sharing child abuse material online in the New England. Christopher James Levy appeared in Inverell Local Court on Thursday morning on seven charges, 24 hours after he was arrested at his Glen Innes home. The 32-year-old was not required to enter pleas but lodged a bid for release, which was refused by magistrate Holly Kemp who ordered him into custody. Detectives from the state's Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit said they started engaging online with Levy earlier this month. Police claim Levy thought he was speaking with a 38-year-old mother, when he allegedly started engaging in discussions about sexually explicit acts he wished to perform on her child. Detectives then allege he sent child abuse material online and made arrangements to meet up with the child in person. Strike Force Trawler - the squad's dedicated online sex abuse and child exploitation operation - moved in on Levy at his Glen Innes home on Wednesday, raiding the property about 11am. READ ALSO: Two hand themselves in as police look for third in skate park probe Storms turn deadly after man dies in hospital from tree branch fall There, they seized electronic devices which they say will be analysed as part of the police probe. Levy was taken to Glen Innes police station and questioned before being charged with seven offences including inciting to commit sexual intercourse with child under the age of 10 years - a charge that carries life imprisonment, if found guilty. He's also facing three counts of using a carriage service to transmit or publish child abuse material; and three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations. Detectives have been ordered to compile the brief of evidence and serve it on Levy's defence solicitor by mid-December. The case will return to court in January.
The 32-year-old was not required to enter pleas but lodged a bid for release, which was refused by magistrate Holly Kemp who ordered him into custody.
Detectives from the state's Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit said they started engaging online with Levy earlier this month.
Magistrate refuses to release 32yo charged in child abuse sting
Detectives claim the accused thought he was speaking with a mother about meeting up with her child, but now he faces life imprisonment, if found guilty of the offences.
Police claim Levy thought he was speaking with a 38-year-old mother, when he allegedly started engaging in discussions about sexually explicit acts he wished to perform on her child.
Detectives then allege he sent child abuse material online and made arrangements to meet up with the child in person.
Strike Force Trawler - the squad's dedicated online sex abuse and child exploitation operation - moved in on Levy at his Glen Innes home on Wednesday, raiding the property about 11am.
There, they seized electronic devices which they say will be analysed as part of the police probe.
Levy was taken to Glen Innes police station and questioned before being charged with seven offences including inciting to commit sexual intercourse with child under the age of 10 years - a charge that carries life imprisonment, if found guilty.
He's also facing three counts of using a carriage service to transmit or publish child abuse material; and three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations.
Detectives have been ordered to compile the brief of evidence and serve it on Levy's defence solicitor by mid-December.
