Northern suburbs man jailed for preying on child and lying about his age

A predator, who sexually abused a child, lied about his age to her and her family – even providing falsified documents when they became suspicious.

The northern suburbs man was jailed for maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child. Photo: iStock

A predator who sexually abused a child lied about his age to her and her family, including providing falsified documents when they became suspicious.

The 26-year-old man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was jailed after his desire for a friend ended in him using the girl for his own sexual gratification.

During sentencing earlier this month, the District Court heard the victim contacted the man via Snapchat in 2019 and they struck up a friendship.

The court heard the victim told the man she was 15, when she was in fact 14 and the man told her he was 16, despite being aged 22 at the time.

In March 2021, the man asked the victim to be his girlfriend and met her family.

The court heard the man attended the victim’s house every day until they separated a month later.

A northern suburbs man was jailed for maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child (not pictured). Photo: iStock

During that time the man indecently assaulted the victim on multiple occasions and sent “highly suggestive and graphic” messages and nude photographs to her.

“At some point during that month the victim’s mother became suspicious of your age and said that you could not see each other unless she saw confirmation of your age,” Judge Ian Press said.

The court heard the man sent the victim a copy of his vaccination book which he had altered to falsify his date of birth as September 2004.

The victim found out the man’s real age a week later and immediately ended the relationship and reported the matter to police.

The northern suburbs man pleaded guilty to maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.

The court heard the man told a psychologist he knew the victim was too young for him and it was wrong but sought out the relationship because he felt lonely.

“I also accept that your intellectual disability contributed to your social isolation and your limited social abilities,” Judge Press said.

“That friendship did not, however, have to include using the victim for your sexual gratification.”

The court heard the man had a mild intellectual disability and presented as a very immature person and functioning at a level lower than his age.

Despite the man’s counsel pushing for a good behaviour bond, Judge Press sentenced him to one year and one month jail, with a non-parole period of four months.

“Your disability did not mean that you failed to appreciate that this was highly manipulative behaviour on your part.”

Judge Press indicated he would have suspended or ordered home detention for the man if either was permitted.