Francis Muscat sentenced for indecently assaulting teen boy he groomed on Grindr

A man has sobbed as he learnt his fate for grooming and indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

A man who groomed a 15-year-old on an adult dating app for a month has wept during sentencing as he learnt he could be out of jail by Christmas.

Paralowie man Francis Muscat sobbed as Judge Emily Telfer sentenced him, the court told Muscat, 54, had encouraged the teen to “sneak out” of his parents’ home.

“You made some suggestions about excuses he could make to his parents, ultimately offering to collect him in your car from a location near his house at a time late at night when he could sneak out of the house and adults would be asleep,” Judge Telfer said.

Francis Muscat, 54, plead guilty to “serious” sexual offending. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Muscat had told police during his interview the teen had been the one to “pester” him for communication and contact.

But after being pressed on the issue, Muscat, 54, conceded he was “probably the instigator” and his “gut instinct” should have told him not to “pursue the matter”.

Muscat pleaded guilty to procuring a child for sexual activity and indecent assault before Judge Telfer on February 23.

The court previously heard during his successful home detention bail bid in July 2023 he met the 15-year-old on Grindr and began messaging back and forth – including exchanging nude photos.

During sentencing submissions, prosecutors told the court the victim told Muscat his age “almost immediately”, to which the court previously heard Muscat replied, “I’m OK with that as long as you are OK with me”.

Muscat wept throughout the hearing as Judge Telfer handed down her sentence. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Muscat communicated with the teen for a month prior to the meeting in late April, and continued to contact him until the victim’s parents confiscated his phone and discovered sexualised conversations.

According to psychological reports tendered to the court, Muscat “doesn’t satisfy the diagnostic criteria for a pedophilic disorder”.

“I accept that Grindr is an application which is intended to be restricted for use by people who are over 18, you were not on that application intending to communicate with or meet up with children,” her honour said.

The court heard the his interactions with the legal system had led Muscat to “breaking the cycle” and seeking treatment, and that his apology to court showed he was “deeply contrite.”

Judge Telfer sentenced Muscat to one year, one month and 12 days with a six-month and 12-day non-parole period, meaning he was eligible for parole by December 17.

Her Honour told Muscat he should “now be aware” the law exists to protect young people from “predatory intent” and their own “sexual naivety and curiosity”.