NRL Star Pleads Guilty To Sending Child Sexual Abuse Material On Gay Sex Chat Service
Image: Brett Finch
Former NRL player Brett Finch on Tuesday pleaded guilty to sharing child sexual abuse material on an adult phone gay sex chat service.
Trigger Warning: This story discusses child sexual abuse, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.
The former State of Origin star pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to transmit or publish child abuse material, reported ABC. A Sydney Downing Centre Local court is scheduled to sentence Finch in September 2022.
In a statement signed by Finch, he admitted to using the adult gay sex phone chat service FastMeet between November 2020 and January 2021 and sharing messages about wanting to have sex with teenage boys.
Outside the court, Finch’s lawyer claimed that he was seeking treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues.
Arrests In December 2021
In December 2021, Finch and seven other men, aged between 34 and 71, were arrested by NSW Police during their investigations into an alleged child abuse material ring.
The NSW Police Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad’s Strike Force Hank had conducted raids across Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Shoal Bay, Petersham, Cranebrook, Gerroa, Surry Hills and Stanmore. They seized mobile phones, electronic items and illicit drugs during the searches.
The investigators had established Strike Force Hank to investigate the telephone chat service, which was being used by some men to disseminate child abuse material and discuss the sexual abuse of children.
Finch Admits To Sending Messages
“We will allege that each of the men arrested by detectives over the past month expressed desires to engage in sexual activity with children, and in some cases, attempted to access child abuse material from other users of the service,” Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty had then said.
“Producing, disseminating or possessing child abuse material are serious offences, and detectives will continue to dismantle these types of operations, so children are free from harmful situations, exploitation and abuse,” Doherty had said.
Finch told detectives that he had never sexually abused a child, but might have sent the messages when he was “twisted”, reported The Daily Telegraph.
If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services.
For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14
For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.
