Daniel Williams to be sentenced for lying about his age to procure a child for sexual activity

A 27-year-old man groomed a young girl online by pretending to be a 14-year-old boy, and convinced her to send him sexual photos and videos of herself.

A man has shown little empathy for pretending to be a 14-year-old boy online to pursue a child for sexual activity, a court has heard.

Daniel Luke Williams, 27, groomed a 12-year-old girl living in Queensland, in October, last year at Renmark.

Daniel Williams will be sentenced at a later date for procuring a child for sexual activity. Photo: Facebook

The prosecutor described Williams’ behaviour as predatory.

“The complainant was only 12 years of age when she was contacted by the defendant,” the prosecutor told the Adelaide District Court on Tuesday.

“The defendant became aware of her age very soon after they started communicating, yet he continued pursuing her.”

The court heard Williams told the victim he was 14-years-old, despite being 27 at the time.

“The defendant also took numerous steps to pursue the complainant, firstly by adding her on Snapchat and then attaining her telephone number,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard when police searched Williams’ phone, they found 22 images and one video of child exploitation material, in category one and two.

Category two on the Oliver scale – which forms the basis on which child exploitation images and videos are graded – is where there is a solo sex act or sex act between children.

The court heard all the photos and videos of child exploitation material were of the victim, besides one photo which was of a baby.

A prosecutor told the court that Williams’ offending was serious and a jail term was warranted.

“General deterrence is particularly important to matters relating to child exploitation material because this offence is not a victimless crime,” the prosecutor said.

“And possessing such material supports an industry that exploits children.”

Williams, of Elizabeth Vale, had previously pleaded guilty to procuring a child for sexual activity and possessing child exploitation material.

The court heard a psychologist report said Williams displayed minimal victim empathy.

“The defendant acknowledged he fully understood the age of consent and was not able to explain why he persisted with the offending conduct,” the prosecutor said.

Carrie Demertzis, for Williams, pushed for a good behaviour bond, taking into account Williams’ young age and that he has no prior criminal history.

The court heard Williams has mental health issues and had recently obtained a mental health care plan.

Judge Simon Stretton adjourned Williams’ charges until December.