Thomas Peacock is standing trial, charged with sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl

A father allegedly groomed a child on Snapchat and sexually assaulted her, including a threesome with her underage friend. He then paid her to “keep her mouth shut”, police allege.

An alleged Snapchat predator asked his ex-partner if she was jealous after she confronted him about having sex with an underage girl, a court heard.

Thomas Francis Peacock, 44, is standing trial in the District Court this week after he allegedly sexually abused the teenager on multiple occasions, before paying her to keep her mouth shut.

Lisa Dunlop, for the prosecution, told the court in her opening statement that the alleged victim met Mr Peacock on social media in late 2019 when she was aged 16.

“At the time (the alleged victim) was a lonely teenager,” she said.

“She struggled somewhat socially.”

Thomas Peacock is standing trial, charged with maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child. Photo: Facebook

Thomas Peacock allegedly paid the child money to “keep her mouth shut” after he was arrested. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Mr Peacock initially told the alleged victim in a Snapchat call he was 20 before coming clean and admitting he was 40.

The court heard the alleged victim went to Mr Peacock’s Myponga house.

“On that first occasion that they met they drank alcohol, they smoked cannabis … and later on after that had happened they had sex,” Ms Dunlop said.

The court heard the alleged victim became a “fairly regular” visitor to Mr Peacock’s house, who told her he didn’t want a relationship and just wanted sex.

The court heard the alleged victim then met a girl, also aged 16, through the internet.

“At the time that they were communicating the complainant was … homeless, having been told not to come back to her family home,” Ms Dunlop said.

“She communicated with this girl and this girl offered her a place to stay for a short period of time.”

The court heard the alleged victim suggested they spend time at Mr Peacock’s house and they stayed the night.

“In the morning (the alleged victim) will tell you that she went and got into the bed with the other two … and sexual activity took place as between the three of them at that time,” Ms Dunlop said.

The court heard a Snapchat video of Mr Peacock and the alleged victim was seen by Mr Peacock’s ex-partner.

Ms Dunlop said Mr Peacock’s ex-partner came over to confront him about having sex with an underage girl, to which he allegedly replied “are you jealous?”

The court heard Mr Peacock’s ex-partner left before messaging him “you’re going to jail, the girl you have there tonight is only 16”.

Police arrested Mr Peacock shortly after and he was released from custody.

“Somewhat cautiously and somewhat more carefully than before, that relationship with (the alleged victim) … continues up to and past her 17th birthday in August 2020,” Ms Dunlop said.

The court heard Mr Peacock allegedly said to the girl “if you keep your mouth shut about things I’ll look after you”, paying her a total of $665 between June 2020 and April 2021.

The court heard after the alleged victim had her 17th birthday, Mr Peacock allegedly made a joking comment that he wasn’t interested in her anymore now she was legal.

The father-of-four pleaded not guilty to maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child and unlawful sexual intercourse.

The trial before Judge Kudelka in the absence of a jury continues.