Sydney private school teacher charged with grooming 14-year-old girl via social media
Summary
A Sydney private school teacher, Benjamin David Collinge, 29, was charged with grooming a 14-year-old girl and accessing child abuse material. Police alleged he used social media to attempt to encourage the girl to send sexually explicit images in exchange for money, posing as a 17-year-old boy. The incident occurred in Beecroft, New South Wales, with the charges following a report from the girl's parents on March 1. Police searched Collinge's home and found child abuse material on his devices. Newington College terminated Collinge's employment after the charges were brought. Collinge was refused bail and is expected to appear in court in April.
Incident Details
Harms involving the exploitation, abuse, or endangerment of minors, including CSAM and grooming.
Online contact by adults seeking to build trust with minors for exploitation.
Child sexual abuse material — the creation, distribution, or possession of such content.