James William Liet pleaded guilty to sexually abusing southern suburbs high school student

A 50-year-old man who sexually assaulted a southern suburbs high school student was exposed after the victim’s mother found their messages.

A father who sexually abused a southern suburbs high school student was arrested after the victim’s mother found messages between the two.

James William Liet, 50, admitted his guilt to some of his charges in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, after he preyed on a 16-year-old girl.

Liet, of O’Sullivan Beach, pleaded guilty to communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity and unlawful sexual intercourse, namely cunnilingus.

He pleaded not guilty to another count of unlawful sexual intercourse, namely inserting his finger in the girl’s vagina.

A prosecutor told the court they would be withdrawing two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse in satisfaction of those pleas.

Child abuse generic

The court previously heard Liet told police during his interview that he thought the age of consent was 16, while making admissions to sexual acts with the girl.

William Marsh, for Mr Liet, told the court during his unsuccessful bail application that while the alleged offending occurred in March last year, Mr Liet wasn’t arrested until August.

“The mother of the complainant discovers text messages between the two and that’s how (the offending) comes to the attention of police,” he said.

Mr Marsh said at the time Liet wasn’t a real risk to children now that he was aware the age of consent was 17.

The court heard Mr Liet was the sole carer of his two daughters, who had gone into the care of his eldest daughter while he was in custody.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Simon Smart adjourned Liet’s charges to the District Court for arraignment in June.