Gavin Wade Dawson pleads guilty to producing child exploitation material

A former southern suburbs groundskeeper who filmed himself having sex with a 16-year-old boy has avoided jail after saying he was not aware the victim was underage.

A former southern suburbs school groundskeeper has avoided jail after filming himself having sex with a minor, who he thought was of age.

Gavin Wade Dawson, 48, pleaded guilty to producing child exploitation material in the Adelaide District Court earlier this month.

The court heard in March, 2020 Dawson connected with another male on Grindr, believing he was over the age of 18.

The court heard Dawson began talking to the victim on Grindr.

In his sentencing remarks, District Court Judge Paul Muscat called Dawson “reckless” after he failed to ask the victim – who was actually 16 at the time – what his age was.

“After a number of communications over Grindr the two of you met up and engaged in sexual activity in your vehicle,” Judge Muscat said.

“At his request you used his mobile telephone to film the sexual activity.

“His mother later discovered some images, videos and chats on his mobile telephone, and went to the police with them.”

As a result, Dawson was charged with a number of offences, including unlawful sexual intercourse and producing child exploitation material.

However his defence of not knowing the victim’s real age was enough for the Director of Public Prosecutions to discontinue the charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

Dawson then pleaded guilty to the charge of production of child exploitation material on the basis that he had used the youth’s mobile telephone, and at his request, to film the activity.

Dawson, a former grounds person for the Education department, had previously worked at different schools throughout the southern area.

However, that employment was terminated following a conviction in 2005 after Dawson had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl.

He was later sentenced to a suspended term of imprisonment for that offence.

Dawson then found work as a forensic conveyancer through InvoCare, a provider of funeral services where Dawson’s job was to collect deceased persons that had died in circumstances where a police or a coronial investigation might be necessary.

“You left to work for Orana, a disability services and support organisation, where you were employed for 15 months until you lost that job following your arrest for the current offences,” Judge Muscat said.

“As can be seen, despite your disability, you have an excellent work history.

“You hope to return to the workforce once you know the outcome of these proceedings.”

The court also heard Dawson was at a low point in his life when the offending took place in March 2020, after becoming the victim of an aggravated assault and theft that left him traumatised back in 2019.

In his sentencing, Judge Muscat said that although serious, a term of imprisonment could not be justified.

“It is accepted that you honestly and reasonably believed the person you were engaging in sexual activity with was aged 18 years.

“It is also accepted that you only filmed the sexual activity at the request of that person and using his mobile telephone.

“Clearly, that person wanted to view that sexual activity again for his own interest.”

Dawson was convicted of the offence and entered into a 18 months good behaviour bond.