By Evin Priest, The Australian.
Three Tongan nationals in Australia on working visas will face court on Wednesday on the NSW mid-north coast, accused of sexually assaulting two teenage girls at a park over the weekend.
About 10pm on Saturday, emergency services were called to Bent St in Wingham following reports two teenage girls had been sexually assaulted by three men at a nearby park.
Police will allege one of the men committed aggravated sexual intercourse with a child aged between 10 and 14.
A crime scene was established at the park, where specialist forensic officers started an investigation.
Officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes Police District began inquiries before the matter was referred to detectives from the NSW Police State Crime Command’s child abuse and sex crimes squad.
Detectives arrested three men – aged 21, 24 and 31 – at a Wingham business at 11.45am on Tuesday, while another 21-year-old man was arrested at 2.30pm in Wingham.
Two warrants were used to search hotel rooms at Bent St, Wingham, where police seized several items.
All four men, who are Tongan nationals, were taken to Taree police station; however, the 31-year-old man was released.
The 21-year-old man was charged with aggravated sexual intercourse with a child (aged between 10 and 14 years), while the other 21-year-old was charged with two counts of intentionally sexually touching a child (aged between 10 and 16 years).
The 24-year-old man was charged with two counts of intentionally sexually touching a child (aged between 10 and 16 years).
The three men were refused bail to appear at Taree Local Court on Wednesday.
It is understood the men are in Australia on unskilled visas and had only recently completed hotel quarantine to start work in the Wingham area.
Investigators are working with the Department of Home Affairs regarding the visa status of the group.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page
