Jayden Ramone McKenna pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse
After a man was released on bail for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl living in state care he posted a photo to social media asking for 18+ cuddle buddies.
Police & Courts
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A man who admitted to sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl was searching for 18+ cuddle buddies months after being released on bail for the offending.
Jayden Ramone McKenna, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse in the District Court last week after he groomed the girl on Snapchat.
The pleas were accepted in satisfaction to the three charges originally laid by prosecution.
In January, the court heard Mckenna’s charges were in limbo as the victim, who lives with an intellectual disability, had been unable to provide a statement to police.
“The (girl) has now been the victim of further alleged sexual offending, and now there is the question as to whether or not she wishes to proceed,” the prosecutor said at the time.
“We need to give her time to recover.”
McKenna, of Golden Grove, is not connected in any way with the most recent sexual assault allegations.
The court previously heard McKenna groomed the girl on Snapchat before inviting her to his house and sexually abusing her over three days from April 30 last year.
At the time, the Elizabeth Magistrates Court heard the young girl was under the care of the Department for Child Protection and was living in a non-government run group home.
McKenna was initially denied home detention in May last year before being granted bail a week later.
In October last year, McKenna posted a photo of himself to Instagram stating: “Any girls in Adelaide 18+ single or want a cuddle buddy I’m up for it if U are lol”.
In the aftermath of the court being told the allegations, Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard described the situation as “tragic” and said she would be ensuring the girl was supported.
“I have sought assurance from the department that this girl is being provided with all of the support that she needs at this terrible time and beyond,” she said.
Trish Johnson, for McKenna, previously told the court she was investigating her client’s fitness to stand trial.
The court previously heard McKenna had intellectual disabilities including ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome and autism and was supported by a carer who attended his house for several hours each day.
McKenna will next face court in February for sentencing submissions.
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