A Christchurch man arrested for sexually grooming a teenage boy via Facebook has been granted interim name suppression and allowed permission by a judge to travel overseas.
The 51-year-old appeared in the Christchurch District Court this afternoon charged with meeting a 15-year-old youth on June 12 following sexual grooming.
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Anderson said the boy's parents alerted police after viewing communications between the man and victim.
"This is an important reminder that the internet is a place where people are able to remain anonymous and prey on the vulnerable," Anderson said.
"It is vital that parents are aware of who their children are communicating with and have some open and frank conversations about keeping safe, not giving out personal information and not meeting up with strangers."
Other details of the offending can not be released due to the victim's age and the matter being before the court.
The man was granted interim name suppression when he appeared before Judge Brian Callaghan this afternoon.
Bail without plea was not opposed by police, and neither was an overseas trip before the man's next court appearance.
He is due back in court on August 18.
Parents and caregivers can find useful information about keeping children safe online here.