Accused Grindr predator Francis Muscat pleads not guilty to grooming, sex acts with 15yo boy

An accused dating app predator will face trial after allegedly grooming a child on a dating app and meeting up with him for sex acts.

An accused dating app predator has denied sex acts with a 15-year-old boy before allegedly telling police he knew what he was doing was wrong.

Francis Muscat, 54, pleaded not guilty to procuring a child for sexual activity, gross indecency and indecent assault in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

During Mr Muscat’s successful bail bid in July, the court heard he allegedly met the 15-year-old boy on the dating site Grindr in March and they began messaging, including exchanging naked photographs.

The prosecutor said the alleged victim sent a text to Mr Muscat saying: “I want to let you know that I’m 15, is that OK to keep talking? I’m on the way to school”.

Mr Muscat allegedly replied: “That’s OK, appreciate you being honest. I’m OK with that as long as you are OK with me”.

Francis Muscat pleaded not guilty to three offences. Photo: Facebook

He will face court again in January. Photo: Facebook

The prosecutor said Mr Muscat allegedly picked the child up on April 6 and took him back to his house at Wingfield, where sexual acts occurred.

The court heard the alleged victim attended the police station with his parents in late April after they found sexualised conversations on his phone.

The prosecutor said Mr Muscat made full admissions to police in an interview after he was arrested.

“The accused stated that what he was doing was wrong,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard Mr Muscat had allegedly sent the boy photos of his face, as well as his car and address linking him to the alleged offending.

Stephen Ey, for Mr Muscat, told the court at the time his client wanted to be bailed to his mother’s address so he could care for her as she had dementia.

“There is evidence that he (the alleged victim) has been offering himself to a number of gentlemen, there are other charges in relation to other defendants before the court,” he said.

On Thursday, Magistrate Brian Nitschke committed Mr Muscat, of Paralowie, to the District Court for arraignment in January.