A man identified by the Daily Telegraph as Windsor South Public School teacher Peter Richard McCredie has been charged with transmitting child abuse material and advocating violence against groups.
In a joint media release, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force said the 38-year-old lower Blue Mountains man was arrested at Sydney Airport on Saturday, October 10, after arriving on an international flight.
ABF officers allegedly identified child abuse material on a mobile phone during a baggage examination and referred the matter to the AFP.
Police said investigators subsequently examined the device and identified child abuse material, along with conversations in which the man allegedly advocated violence against specific religious and racial groups.
McCredie faces five counts of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service and three counts of advocating violence against groups.
The transmitting offences each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. The advocating violence offences each carry a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
The AFP said the man appeared before the NSW Bail Division Court on Sunday, October 11, where he was formally refused bail and listed to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, October 14.
The Daily Telegraph subsequently reported that McCredie appeared by audiovisual link on October 14 and remained in custody, with his bail application adjourned until October 21.
As part of continuing inquiries, officers executed a search warrant at a Winmalee property on Monday, October 12, seizing an electronic device for forensic examination.
The Daily Telegraph reported that McCredie was teaching at Windsor South Public School at the time of his arrest.
In a statement provided to that publication, the NSW Department of Education said student safety and wellbeing were its priority and that it was working closely with the AFP to obtain information about the matter.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said cooperation between law enforcement agencies was central to the investigation.
“This investigation demonstrates how law enforcement agencies work together to protect the Australian community,” he said.
“There is no place in our community for the alleged exploitation of children or conduct which encourages violence based on religion, race, ethnicity or other personal characteristics.”
ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh said the detection reflected the agency’s intelligence-led approach to identifying serious offending at the border.
“Through strong partnerships and intelligence sharing with law enforcement agencies, we ensure those involved in these offences are identified and brought before the courts,” he said.
The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
