A New Zealand man extradited to Australia to face child sex charges linked to an Internet relationship he conducted with a Western Australian teenager appeared before Perth's court of petty sessions on Saturday.
At the preliminary hearing, 39 year-old former-journalist, Rex Widerstrom, was charged with 13 child sex offences varying in seriousness from sexual penetration of, to indecent dealing with, a child under the age of 16.
All the charges stem from allegations that he began a relationship with a 14 year-old Perth girl in an Internet chatroom, later visiting her home city to pursue it physically. Police allege the offences took place over a six month period between June and July 2000.
According to media reports across the Tasman, Widerstrom's lawyer, David Stevenson, said his client chose not to oppose his extradition to Australia last Friday in the interest of his family.
In his home country, Widerstrom directs his own political consulting firm and has campaigned actively for electronic voting. In his resume, hosted on the consulting firm's Web site, Widerstrom lists New Zealand First Party media advisor and candidate among his achievements.
Widerstrom's is being remanded in custody to appear in Perth's magistrate court on February 27.
