A Wodonga sex offender accused of grooming children online and being sent child pornography through fake accounts has cried after being refused bail.
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Police believe Keith Thompson, 68, posed as a bisexual girl online and may have had contact with more than 1000 children.
He is banned from having any undeclared contact with kids as a registered sex offender.
It's alleged Thompson created aliases on multiple platforms including Instagram and Snapchat, which he has used for several years.
Police are searching through devices and his web activity, but have so far identified 2000 people linked to his accounts, the majority teenagers.
The Wodonga Magistrates Court heard he claimed to be a bisexual teenage girl online and spoke to a 13-year-old girl about losing her virginity, and another girl about oral sex techniques.
Police believe he was actively grooming prepubescent children before his arrest.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Sarah Patrick interviewed the 68-year-old on September 5 to check compliance with his sex offender obligations.
He claimed to have no social media accounts, but said he used an email address.
A check of the address allegedly unearthed links to a string of comments online involving young girls, and further checks found the unreported social media accounts.
His home was raided on October 13, with a phone, laptop, tablet and hard drive seized.
Explicit conversations with at least three 15 and 16-year-old girls were found, along with links to child porn and bestiality sites.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Patrick said there was nothing that could alleviate police bail concerns.
"As the investigation progresses police believe many more victims will be identified and additional charges laid," she said.
"Police hold significant concerns surrounding his likelihood to reoffend, as well as to destroy evidence and interfere with witnesses."
He was denied bail and will return on December 10.
