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A man accused of sexually abusing 30 children over a span of three decades reportedly had an agreement with a child protection agency to provide housing and schooling for minors.
Trevor James Scroop, 65, from South Australia, is alleged to have made several trips to Northern Territory communities to take children whom he then abused.
He was arrested and charged with two child sex offences in 2023.
Following a continuing joint investigation by the SA and NT police, additional charges have been brought, totaling 44 sex offences against 30 children from 1989 to 2023.
The charges include sexual abuse of a child, unlawful sexual intercourse, indecent and aggravated indecent assault, aggravated assault and possessing child exploitation material.
Scroop appeared in the SA District Court today and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The lifting of suppression orders means he can now be named.
Scroop, a former ABC cameraman, had access to dozens of mostly Aboriginal boys under an arrangement with SA’s Department for Child Protection to house them, the ABC reported.
SA Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Catherine Hilliard told reporters in Darwin today it was a “complex and incredibly confronting investigation”.
“The man had been providing accommodation and schooling in South Australia for many young people from the Northern Territory over an extended period of time,” she said.
“The privacy and safety of the victims remains our number one priority. We have been providing updates, along with support, to everyone effected.”
Northern Territory Police Force Assistant Commissioner Michael White said the alleged offending was “abhorrent” and its scale disturbing.
He assured the NT community the alleged offender was in custody and was believed to have acted alone.
The two commissioners urged anyone with further information on the man’s alleged offending to contact police as investigations continue.
They said ongoing court suppression orders meant police were restricted in what they could say about the victims and their families.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said anyone who committed those types of crimes should know “we want the full force of the law to be imposed upon them with only the consideration of victims in mind”.
Scroop is scheduled to reappear in court in August.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
