Joshua Ciardiello handed a suspended sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl

A young man is now a convicted child sex offender after he convinced a 14-year-old girl he was talking to on the internet to meet up and have sex in a park.

A farmhand initially denied having sex with a child in a park after he convinced her to meet up with him.

Joshua James Ciardiello, 25, now realises his actions had a significant impact on his victim who now finds it harder to trust people.

The Adelaide District Court on Monday heard that Ciardiello met the victim, who was aged 14 at the time, through the internet.

“(You) had been communicating with her by Snapchat, Facebook and text messages for a short period before you asked her to meet with you,” Chief Judge Michael Evans said during sentencing.

The court heard the conversations included some sexual talk and sexually explicit photographs being exchanged.

The victim agreed to meet Ciardiello on March 8, 2015 at Clare.

“You picked her up in your car from a service station and drove to a nearby park,” Chief Judge Michael Evans said.

Ciardiello touched the victim sexually and then walked to a bench with her.

The court heard Ciardiello then had sexual intercourse with the victim twice.

The victim told her mother about the incident and Ciardiello was interviewed by police.

“You denied the allegations made by the victim and denied knowing her,” Chief Judge Michael Evans said.

The court heard the victim said in her victim impact statement that she now finds it harder to trust people.

“She’s experienced nightmares reliving your offending,” Chief Judge Evans said.

The court heard Ciardiello, who works as a farm hand, was remorseful for his actions and is now in an age appropriate relationship.

“You acknowledge your offending has had a significant impact on your victim,” Chief Judge Evans said.

Joshua Ciardiello was handed a suspended sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse. Picture: File

Ciardiello, of Salisbury East, had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse.

Chief Judge Evans said young people needed to be protected from their own immaturity.

“The increasing use of social media reinforces the need to protect the young from consequences of their own conduct,” he said.

“And for members of the community to be vigilant to ensure children are not victims of this type of offending.”

Chief Judge Evans sentenced Ciardiello to 19 months jail, with a non-parole period of 10 months.

The sentence was suspended on a two-and-a-half year good behaviour bond, with supervision for 18 months, due to Ciardiello’s young age at the time of the offending and his remorse.