Police alert on predators - how to keep your children safe - The Australian

A nine year old is recovering, and a man in his 30 is in custody after sexual attack allegedly happened in broad daylight, on the Central Coast

Source: The Daily Telegraph

POLICE are warning parents to be extra vigilant for "predators" both on the street and online after a spate of attempted child abductions and assaults.

Detective Inspector Peter Yeomans said the wide use of mobile phones, the internet and social networking sites provided more avenues for people to prey on children than ever before.

He is pleading with parents to speak to their children about the dangers of sites like Facebook and urge them to never go anywhere with strangers.

"If a person is not known to the children, that should straight away say danger to the child," he said.

"A child should be familiar with either a person or place.

"I think what they should do is only deal with people they know and only go to places they're familiar with."

The warning comes as police investigate reports of children being approached and assaulted from Newcastle to Wollongong and out to Penrith.

A Central Coast man yesterday faced court over allegations he indecently assaulted a boy, 9, at The Entrance.

Court documents allege Kwai Newman enticed the boy and his friend to his apartment to show them his pet lizards.

"The child stated he and a friend were approached by the accused and his lizard," police alleged.

"The accused offered to show the victim and his friend the other lizards he had at his home. The two children went with the accused to his address.

"The victim stated his friend ran off."

The two played computer games and watched movies before the boy was indecently assaulted. He attempted to leave once the accused fell asleep but could not find a key to unlock the door.

He told police the 36-year-old unlocked the door the following morning.

Just hours later Newman was charged with detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage and indecent assault.

Magistrate Susan McIntyre yesterday denied bail at Wyong Local Court and adjourned the matter until January 16.

Newman's lawyer Lesley Jansen told the court her client had tried to help the boy, who asked to stay overnight because his parents and brother had been giving him a "hard time".

"He tells me that he denies the offences," she said.