According to police, the 40-year-old came into contact with at least one of his alleged victims through his work as a music teacher, with others mainly approached over the internet.
“This is a very serious matter. The investigation has so far revealed about 60 aggrieved persons who will probably also be considered victims,” the prosecutor told Norway’s VG newspaper.
The man has been charged with abusing his position, attempting sexual intercourse with a child under 16-years old, and the storage and production of material showing child abuse.
According to police, the man approached different girls on the internet, using a succession of online persona, encouraging them to undress in front of web cameras or send naked pictures of themselves.
The abuse was first reported to police in Nordmøre, western Norway, in June last year. Police then raided the man’s house in the east of the country, seizing his computer, and contacting the families of girls they believed had been victimised.
“He is taking the indictment very badly,” the teacher’s lawyer told VG. “He was in poor health before it happened, and it has not got any better now.”
The man has been detained since October 2014 awaiting trial.
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