A 73-year-old religious leader and his partner have been arrested, accused of grooming a girl from the age of six and convincing her she had been selected to procreate with the man to build a new sect.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said a 19-year-old woman came forward to police last year to report she had been groomed for sexual activity from the age of six until 19 by the couple.
"Police will allege that over that period the child was groomed she was advised by the religious leader and his partner that she had been selected to procreate with that religious leader and to build a new sect," Det Supt Doherty told reporters on Monday.
Detectives searched the headquarters of a religious group in Bangalee, near Nowra on the NSW South Coast, and a unit in Sydney’s CBD as part of the investigation.
A number of items were seized at a home and two sheds on the property in Bangalee.
The man and a 58-year-old woman were arrested at an address in Sydney’s city centre about 12.30pm on Monday.
They were taken to Day St police station, where they are expected to be charged with child grooming offences.
The man was in jail during a number of the years of alleged abuse.
Det Supt Doherty said he utilised various methods while incarcerated such as phone calls and letters as well as using his co-accused partner to give the child gifts, including some he made in jail.
The man is expected to be charged with grooming a child under the age of 14, grooming of a child for unlawful sexual activity and inciting a person to carry out sexual acts without consent.
He is also expected to be charged with failing to comply with his extended supervision order.
Det Supt Doherty commended the young woman for her bravery in reporting the matter.
"She came to a point in her life where she was supported enough to come through," she said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
