Adam Lee Jesson pleaded guilty to grooming a child for sex over several months

A predator was “persistent and manipulative” in messaging a child to sleep over at his house – which was filled with toys and young girls’ clothing – a court has heard.

A child groomer was relentless in his attempts to convince a girl to sleep over at his house, which was filled with toys and young girls’ clothing, a court has heard.

Adam Lee Jesson, 41, was “persistent and manipulative” when he preyed on a child over several months for his own devious interests.

A prosecutor told the District Court on Monday Jesson sent the victim, who had a boyfriend, several messages between March and December 2020 pleading to spend time with her.

Adam Jesson pleaded guilty to grooming a child for sex. Picture: Facebook

“There are numerous references to the defendant spending the night with the complainant,” the prosecutor said.

“The messages reveal a pattern of behaviour where the accused was aggressive and desperate in his messages to the complainant when she would not respond to him.”

Judge Anthony Allen described Jesson’s messages as “persistent and manipulative” and sounded like a case of “teenage jealously”.

The prosecutor told the court Jesson sent the victim a message which said “don’t worry about birth control pills, by the time I’m done no-one’s gonna touch you”.

The court heard despite being given a bail condition not to contact the victim, the child was found hiding in the laundry at Jesson’s house on one occasion.

Jesson, of Salisbury Downs, pleaded guilty to communicating with the intention of making a child amenable to sexual activity.

The victim was under the age of 14, according to a charge sheet lodged with the court.

The court previously heard children’s toys and young girls’ clothing were found at Jesson’s home.

He initially denied the offending, saying he believed his phone had been accessed by a third party.

Sam McDonough, for Jesson, told the court he estimated he had spent 20 years of his life in jail.

“Such a waste,” Judge Allen replied.

Mr McDonough told the court Jesson had a traumatic childhood and fell into drug addiction from an early age, primarily marijuana and methamphetamine.

“Mr Jesson advises it (the offending) was a stupid and drug induced moment,” he said.

“Mr Jesson is someone who struggles with developing ordinary relationships … the messages perhaps speak to that.”

Judge Allen will sentence Jesson next month.