Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Sydney Teacher Charged With Grooming 14-Year-Old, Child Abuse Material Offences

Police allege he posed as a 17-year-old to solicit explicit images for money.

Overview

  • Benjamin David Collinge, 29, was arrested at a Beecroft home in a Thursday pre-dawn raid and refused bail at Burwood Local Court.
  • Detectives say he contacted an unrelated 14-year-old on social media starting March 18 and pressured her to send sexual images for cash.
  • Investigators seized multiple electronic devices during the search and allege they contained child abuse material.
  • Newington College fired the casual music teacher after the charges, saying no current or recent students from its schools have been identified as involved.
  • The Sex Crimes Squad’s Strike Force Trawler, which targets online child exploitation, is continuing inquiries and urges any other victims to report to police.