Nicholas Richard Spirat found guilty of grooming an eight-year-old girl for sex

An eight-year-old girl being groomed for sex, together with her 12-year-old relative, has turned the tables on a vile predator preying on her.

A predator has been found guilty of grooming an eight-year-old girl for sex after she and her relative decided to secretly record him.

On Friday, Auxiliary Judge Gordon Barrett said he found Nicholas Richard Spirat, 56, guilty of communicating with the intention of making a child amenable to sexual activity after a trial last week.

Sophie Taylor, for the prosecution, told the Port Augusta District Court in her opening statement the eight-year-old victim was with a family member in 2021.

The court heard the victim and her 12-year-old relative went over to Spirat’s house to play.

“It is alleged that the accused began to ask (the victim) questions about whether she was interested in sex,” Ms Taylor said.

Nicholas Spirat was found guilty of grooming a child for sex. Photo: istock.

The court heard the victim was confused by the questions and told her relative, who did not believe her.

Ms Taylor said the victim and her relative then came up with a plan to record Spirat, hiding a mobile phone underneath a keyboard in the bedroom.

“The accused asked (the victim) if she was ‘interested in sex’ before suggesting that she use a vibrator if she hasn’t before because ‘you’ll be in for a nice surprise’,” Ms Taylor said.

The court heard Spirat then instructed the victim on how to use the vibrator.

Spirat’s house was searched on May 16, 2021 and police found multiple devices containing more than 2400 images and videos of child exploitation material, which he pleaded guilty to.

The court heard there was uncontested evidence that Mr Spirat showed the victim and her relative a vibrator at the address, as well as masturbating during the conversation.

Nader Gabriel, for Spirat, said there was no dispute about his client engaging in the conversation with the victim but rather what his motivation behind it was.

Mr Gabriel said Spirat held the belief he was educating the victim.

On Friday, Ms Taylor asked for Spirat’s bail to be revoked.

Mr Gabriel opposed the application, saying Spirat hadn’t breached bail previously and his son was dependant on him.

Auxiliary Judge Barrett said there wasn’t a lot of room for anything but immediate jail and revoked Spirat’s bail.

Spirat, of Kilkenny, will face court again next month for sentencing submissions.