Australia: Paedophile preyed on Vanuatu children

Accused paeodphile Gregory Druery used his position of trust with the church and families to abuse children, Australian police say.

The 50-year-old technician who was arrested at an English town Chipping Norton apartment last week, brought underprivileged children from Vanuatu to Australia by offering them paid holidays.

He also gave toys to kids while in the tiny Pacific nation.

“The allegations put forward are very disturbing because the person is alleged to have been very close to family members,” Liverpool Detective Sergeant Graham Hibbs said outside Liverpool police station.

“It’s definitely a person who was in a position of trust with these children.”

Druery had roles with junior baseball and the church, and police believe he posed as a visiting Australian welfare worker while over in Vanuatu.

He has been charged with 19 offences relating to aggravated indecent assault and sexual intercourse with children, aged between 14 and 16, throughout the 1990s until May this year.

It is alleged he handed out toys to the boys at the Vanuatu school before molesting them.

Officers were contacted by a member of the public whom police confirmed was not a parent of a victim.

The Crimestoppers phone-call sparked an investigation into Druery’s contact with children.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have the support of Interpol and the Australian Federal Police,” Detective Sergeant Hibbs said.

“I can’t thank the police in Vanuatu enough for their support during this investigation.

“Children in Vanuatu have been spoken to and information has been obtained.”

Police have called for members of the public with any more information about the accused to come forward.

The man has been refused bail and appeared at Liverpool Local Court on Thursday.