Grooming claim arrest

FAR North Queensland parents are being urged to monitor children’s online usage after two Cairns children allegedly fell victim to grooming.

Police this week launched an investigation after receiving information that two 10-yearolds in Cairns were being contacted by someone online.

Detectives from Cairns Child Protection Investigation Unit and detectives from Brisbane travelled to Blackwater on Wednesday, charging an 18-year-old man with eight offences. The charges relate to the alleged content of social media interactions the man initiated with the two children.

CPIU officer in charge detective Senior Sergeant Mick Gooiker highlighted the importance of overseeing what children were doing online.

The 18-year-old man is to appear in Blackwater Magistrates Court on November 30.