Man charged with child sex offences

Detectives have charged a man with child sex offences.

Detectives have charged a man with child sex offences after a teenage girl was contacted via an online messaging app and allegedly groomed by a man pretending to be an 18-year-old teenager .

Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit detectives with support from Argos detectives executed a search warrant at a Coronation Avenue, Golden Beach address and arrested a 26-year-old man.

During the search police located video and photo evidence indicating there may be other young teenage girls who the man has had contact with. The man has used the handle ‘whoneedsm5’ and selects girls residing on the Sunshine Coast.

Police are appealing for anyone who has had contact with the man, whether using the above handle or another one, to contact them.

A 26-year-old Golden Beach man has been charged with two counts of carnal knowledge of a child under 16, two counts of using the internet to procure child under 16, and one count each of produce dangerous drugs (cannabis plants) and possession of dangerous drug (cannabis) and possession of utensil (water pipe).

The man was due to appear at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 8 June.