Man charged on 140 counts of allegedly indecently recording children at Perth aquatic and recreation centres

Following his arrest in May for allegedly indecently recording at least five boys under the age of 13 at the Craigie Leisure Centre, a Perth man has been charged with a total of 140 charges of indecently recording and dealing with children.

Facing the multiple charges, 24-year-old Roman Wolodymyr Kopytko this week appeared before the Joondalup Magistrates Court via video link from Western Australia’s Hakea Prison.

Following his initial arrest, Western Australian Police have advised that they have found other alleged indecent recordings, identifying more alleged victims, both girls and boys, as part of an ongoing investigation by Child Abuse Squad detectives.

The offences are alleged to have occurred at several aquatic and recreation facilities across metropolitan Perth between 23rd February and 25th May 2023.

In Court on Wednesday, Magistrate Andrew Maughan ordered a home detention bail assessment report, on request of the defendant's lawyer.

He told Kopytko that did not mean he would be given bail, rather he would be assessed to see if he was suitable.

The Child Abuse Squad allege there are other children in the recordings who they are working to identify.

Police Commissioner calls for ‘hyper vigilance’
Western Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch said people may come forward of their own volition if they realise they have been at that place during the relevant times.

While not referring to this case which is before the courts, Commissioner Blanch issued a general warning urging parents and members of the community to look out for suspicious behaviour in recreation centres and other public places.

He stated “particularly in environments where people are wearing swimming wear and things like that

"Look for those who aren't and those who might be concealing devices on their person, which is harder and harder because devices get smaller.

"But I think that suspicious pattern style [of] behaviour is something people need to be hypervigilant about. And if you see them around you can probably spot them.

"Now I'll say this, it's very rare so it's not happening at every place."

Commissioner Blanch went on to say “sadly we’re in a time where hyper vigilance is so important for parents and people who run those type of facilities - including security, lifeguards and the owner.

“Look out for suspicious behaviour particularly in environments where people are in swimming wear. Look out for those who may be concealing devices.

“Devices are getting smaller but I think that suspicious pattern and that style of behaviour is something people need to be vigilant about.”

Asked about parental concern about filming at public pools, Commissioner Blanch said there has to be a fair degree of reasonableness with the footage for it to be inappropriate, adding “there is nothing wrong with filming in a public place … that’s why the offence is called indecently record

“So the recordings have to show a level of indecency, perhaps focusing on their genitals or when they are in a state of disrobing. They are the sort of recordings that we’re concerned about.

“This is not mum and dad filming their kid’s swimming race.”

Kopytko was refused bail when he was first arrested and currently remain remanded in Hakea Prison.

For anyone impacted by these or similar incidents:
1800 RESPECT national helpline on 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028
Bravehearts (support for child sexual abuse survivors) on 1800 272 831
Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line) on 131 114

Images: Craigie Leisure Centre was where the initial alleged offences occurred.