Concerns have been raised following the recent charge of a 29-year-old police officer last Tuesday.
It is alleged that the male senior constable had sexual intercourse with a teenage girl aged less than 16, more than 14.
The officer who was arrested last Tuesday has been suspended without pay, and is now facing charges of aggravated sexual intercourse of a child.
He was taken into custody and escorted to the Lismore Police Station in early December before appearing before the Lismore Local Court the following day.
The officer was refused bail.
He was arrested and charged following complaints and reports against the officer which prompted an investigation in September.
The law prohibits sexual intercourse with a person aged under 16, with or without consent. The penalties for this offence range depending on the age of the victim and circumstances of the offence from 10 years to life imprisonment in NSW.
Section 66(3) of the Crimes act 1900 (NSW) specifically prescribed up to 10 years imprisonment to anyone who has sexual intercourse with a child aged at least 14, but less than 16.
The maximum penalties are heavier if the child is aged 10 to 13, attracting 16 years imprisonment.
The maximum penalty for this offence, if the child is aged under 10, is life imprisonment.
The consequences of being convicted of a child sex offence is long lasting. It results in the offender:
- Being a ‘disqualified person’ prohibiting him/her from getting a working with children clearance;
- Being a ‘registrable person’, requiring him/her to go onto the child protection register, report to police and be subject to travel restrictions.
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