Former ALP adviser Benjamin John Waters compared perverse child abuse chats to interrogating political rivals, court told

An ex-ALP adviser who confessed to child abuse called himself a “proud pedo babe” and compared his perverse online chats to interrogating political rivals, a court has heard.

A state MP’s former adviser called himself “a proud pedo babe” in online chats and encouraged a friend to abuse a boy “before he’s too old and can talk”, a court has heard.

The District Court has also heard Benjamin John Waters called child abuse “epic, natural and awesome”, discussed molesting boys in Asia and said he was “ready for the next pedo step”.

However, despite having pleaded guilty to multiple charges arising from the evidence in his own chat logs, Waters has continued to insist he has no sexual interest in children.

He told the court his motivation, when speaking to a member of HIV-positive paedophile Jadd William Brooker’s online syndicate, was to “understand” the offender’s mentality.

He compared it to separate conversations he previously had, as a Labor adviser, with “members from the Greens Party” to gain insight into their political ideals.

Benjamin John Waters outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes.

“My intention was to incite a reaction so that I could gain some understanding of his thoughts and motivations,” he said.

“At no time during my chats with him was I sexually aroused or personally interested in the topic.

“I now, of course, accept that was wrong and it’s something I will forever regret.”

Waters, 38, of Adelaide, faces a maximum 15-year prison term for accessing, transmitting and possessing child abuse material.

He is giving evidence in court in a bid to secure a home detention sentence.

Previously, Thomas Donaldson – another member of Brooker’s syndicate – told the court he had communicated and swapped abuse material with Waters for more than a year.

He said Waters had viewed some of that material while at work and then excused himself to “go to the bathroom to relieve himself”.

Waters during his time as an adviser for the SA Labor Party. Picture: Facebook.

Waters has pleaded guilty, but denies having a sexual interest in children. Picture: Facebook.

Continuing his evidence, Waters rejected Donaldson’s assertions saying that had “never” happened.

In cross-examination, prosecutor Jeff Powell read out segments of the chat logs in which Waters called himself “a proud pedo babe” who was “ready for the next pedo step”.

He said Waters had written he was “glad to have a pedo friend” like Donaldson to discuss “filthy” things that aroused him.

He also said Waters suggested Donaldson have sex with a boy he knew “before he’s too old and can talk” and, when invited to “come and babysit”, replied “I wish”.

“It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it, what you meant and it’s almost embarrassing to interpret it in that way out loud, don’t you think?” Mr Powell asked.

Waters replied: “I don’t know … I can’t see that explicitly there (in the chat log) so I don’t know.”

The hearing, before Judge Ian Press, continues.