Mate Falanga released on home detention bail, after allegedly procuring an 11-year-old girl for sex

An engaged man who allegedly asked a child to send intimate recordings of herself, before exposing himself to her, told her to delete the messages, a court has heard.

A 25-year-old man has been released from custody after he sexually communicated with a child online, police will allege.

Mate Falanga allegedly told the girl to delete his perverted messages so her parents would not think she was a “bad kid”.

During Falanga’s continuing bail application on Friday, a police prosecutor told the Adelaide Magistrates Court the alleged victim was an 11-year-old girl from New South Wales.

“She states that a couple of months ago, whilst having a sleepover at a friend’s house, she started communicating (on her friend’s Snapchat) with a male person,” the police prosecutor said.

Falanga then asked for the girl’s number.

“This victim communicated with the defendant nearly every day by text message and Facetime,” the police prosecutor said.

“One evening whilst on Facetime he asked her to show him under her shirt and in her underpants.”

The court heard the “reluctant” girl was allegedly persuaded by Falanga and did what he asked.

Falanga then allegedly exposed himself to the girl.

On another occasion, Falanga allegedly asked the girl to make an intimate recording of herself and he again exposed himself to her.

“The defendant told her to delete the messages off her iPad so she did not get in trouble, so her parents would not think that she was a bad kid,” the police prosecutor said.

Falanga was arrested by SA police on Monday after a tip-off from their interstate counterparts.

His electronic devices were analysed and police allegedly found over 2000 communications between him and the girl.

Falanga, of Kilkenny, is charged with making a child amenable to sexual activity and procuring a child for sexual activity in July and September last year.

He is yet to enter any pleas.

Jon Lister, for Falanga, previously told the court that his client was “distressed” and “terrified” about spending further time in custody.

Mate Falanga was released on home detention bail, charged with procuring an 11-year-old girl for sex.

He said Falanga, who has a fiance in the UK, had supplied all electronic devices and passwords to police.

Magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard granted Falanga home detention bail, with conditions that he have no internet access except for essential purposes and no communication with anyone under 18.

Despite Mr Lister’s protests, Ms Sheppard said it would not be appropriate for Falanga to continue working while on home detention bail.

Falanga will return to court in April.