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the western Thursday, March 12, 2026
www.westernweekender.com.au
Celebrating 35 years!
Penrith’s leading coverage of the NRL! Page 33
HISTORY CRUSADE Amanda and James Davis believe Jamisontown Uniting Church, which has a long history in the area, is worth saving. But later this month it will go under the hammer, and is likely to be demolished for housing. Ally Hall reports on Page 5.
Amanda and James Davis. Photo: Melinda Jane.
WEEKENDER 35TH BIRTHDAY – SPECIAL COVERAGE STARTS PAGE 15 CAMBRIDGE PARK MAN SENTENCED TO 26 YEARS FOR SICKENING SEX OFFENCES
THROW AWAY THE KEY
A
Cambridge Park man has been sentenced to 26 years behind bars after pleading guilty to 17 child abuse offences, including having sexual intercourse with minors. The 28-year-old man, who cannot be named due to the age of his victims and for legal reasons, will serve a non-parole period of 19 years and six months. An Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation began after the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received two separate reports regarding an
online user soliciting child abuse material and discussing the sexual abuse of children. AFP inquiries linked both reports to the 28-year-old man. A search warrant was executed in Cambridge Park in November 2023 where investigators found child abuse material on electronic devices. Further police inquiries found the man had sexually assaulted and abused two minors on numerous occasions. The 28-year-old pled guilty 10 counts of ‘sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years of age’, one count of ‘possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained
or accessed using a carriage service’, one count of ‘using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material’, one count of ‘using a carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute or promote child abuse material’, two counts of ‘aggravated use of a child under 10 to produce child abuse material’, and two counts of ‘intentionally sexually touching a child under 10 years’. AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said child protection investigators work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who prey on children, whether the offending was online or physical. “Child protection investigations are
confronting and distressing, but the AFP will not waiver in its commitment to find and prosecute child abusers,” Needham said. “The abhorrent crimes of this nature have no boundaries, and our investigations do not end when the cuffs are put on. “Children are some of our community’s most vulnerable and if you offend against them, it is only a matter of time before police come knocking on your door.” Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. Online reports can be lodged at www. accce.gov.au/report.
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EMILY CHATE