The charges relate to offences that allegedly occurred between 2007 and 2018 in western Sydney. As an officer in the NSW Police specialist youth command, Senior Constable Perkins has given educational talks on cyber safety and bullying to students at western Sydney schools such as St Dominic's College in Kingswood, the Australian Islamic College of Sydney, St Mary & St Mina's Coptic Orthodox College, and Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, as well as schools in Sydney's south such as Endeavour Sports High School at Caringbah and Aquinas Catholic College in Menai. Appearing via audio-visual link at Penrith Local Court on Friday, the accused officer shook his head as the charges were read out and held his head in his hands as he was refused bail. Senior Constable Perkins' barrister Richard Waldersee made the bail application, arguing that the officer was vulnerable in custody, due to his occupation and the nature of the charge. "He’s been in a single ... cell. He’s had cell doors kicked by other inmates. He has heard people call out, 'There he is,' " Mr Waldersee said.

"He has seen himself on television while in custody. He is certainly objectively at risk being in custody; he feels that very much." He argued it was a not a strong Crown case and that his client would probably be waiting in custody for two years before his matter could be dealt with. "My client simply denies all of the matters ... It's going to have to go to trial," Mr Waldersee said. However a lawyer for the Department of Public Prosecution said there was "absolutely nothing before the court" to suggest there would be a delay. Addressing his safety concerns, she said Corrective Services "have things in place more than able to address" such issues.

Magistrate Geoff Hiatt ultimately refused bail, describing it as a reasonably strong prosecution case, while finding the officer "in no different position to any other member of the community charged with similar offences". Outside court, Mr Waldersee said his client had suffered "major threats" while in custody since his arrest. "He's terrible … everybody that goes in custody suffers. They suffer [hugely] and if you’re known as a copper, with that sort of thing alleged against you, you suffer." Senior Constable Perkins is scheduled to appear before Penrith Local Court on December 21. According to the St Dominic's website, a talk delivered by the officer at the school in July included topics such as "social media misuse ... protecting yourself online, bullying, sexting ... [and] the law regarding cybercrimes and digital reputation".