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Babysitter charged with 194 child sex offences after advertising services online

Angie RaphaelNCA NewsWire
Police said the man advertised his babysitting services online. Perth Now/Sunday Times
Camera IconPolice said the man advertised his babysitting services online. Perth Now/Sunday Times Credit: News Corp Australia

A babysitter is facing almost 200 child sex charges that allegedly involve 12 complainants, including one who is just eight months old.

Jareth Thomas Harries-Markham, 23, was first charged in August with more than a dozen offences.

On Monday, West Australian police revealed he was now facing a total of 194 charges.

“It is alleged that the man advertised his services through an online babysitting service,” police said in a statement.

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It is alleged the additional offences happened between July 2020 and August 2021 while Mr Harries-Markham was babysitting the complainants, who are aged between eight months and nine years.

Police previously said when they searched Mr Harries-Markham’s home in Bennett Springs they seized child exploitation material, as well as several gel blasters and “edged weapons”.

Mr Harries-Markham is facing charges including possessing child exploitation material, sexual penetration of a child, indecently recording and dealing with a child, and encouraging a child to engage in sexual behaviour.

He appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday and is due back in court on October 18.

The police investigation is ongoing and detectives urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Babysitter charged with 194 child sex offences after advertising services online

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