Man on child sex charges after cops pose online as 13-year-old girl
A 42-year-old man accused of child sex offences allegedly thought he was meeting a young teenage girl in a fast food outlet, but was instead met by detectives, police say.
Brisbane Magistrates Court. (Photo: ABC)
Lucas Randall Beatson faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday after being arrested on five charges the previous day.
Police allege the Upper Coomera man contacted the social media profile of an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl last month, sparking an investigation.
He was arrested at the Brisbane fast food business on Thursday when, instead of the young teenager he allegedly expected, he was met by detectives.
Police will allege Beatson sent explicit photographs and videos of himself, with his behaviour escalating when he made arrangements for the “child” to skip school to engage in sexual activity with him at a motel.
He is charged with one count of using the internet to procure a child under 16 with a circumstance of aggravation that he went to a place intending to meeting the child and four counts of grooming a child under 16 with intent to expose to indecent matter.
He was released on bail to appear in the same court on June 27.
Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said research found one in four children have been approached by a stranger online.
“This is extremely concerning and highlights the need for parents to be aware of their child’s online footprint and to speak with their child about online safety,” he said.
