Steven Makins admits to four counts of procuring a child for sexual activity
A volunteer firefighter who was due to stand trial next week has now come clean on grooming a 13-year-old girl online over several years.
Police & Courts
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A father has come clean on grooming a 13-year-old girl online over several years who was actually an undercover police officer.
Steven Makins, 34, was due to stand trial in the District Court next week but on Friday entered guilty pleas to four counts of communicating with the intention of procuring a child for sexual activity.
The pleas were accepted in satisfaction to the five charges originally laid.
The court heard the offences were committed between September 2019 and June 2022 in the northern suburbs.
Police allege Makins communicated with an undercover police officer posing as a 13 and 14-year-old girl on multiple occasions.
The maximum penalty for a basic offence of procuring a child for sexual activity – even if the victim is a fictitious person represented as a real person – is 10 years jail.
During a previous bail variation, Magistrate Roderick Jensen granted a condition so Mr Makins could be alone with three children residing on and off at his address.
The court heard two were Makins’ biological children and one was his partner’s child – all of which were boys.
“His partner is fully versed in these matters and if she has concerns she would raise that with the Department of Correctional Services,” counsel for Mr Makins said.
Makins is currently banned from engaging in any child related work or communicating or being alone with children, besides the three living at the address with him.
He also cannot use the internet for any purpose except banking, employment and legal services.
On Friday, the court heard a psychologist report was ready but Makin’s counsel were still waiting for some further medical reports.
Makins, who was allowed to remain on bail, will face court again in July for sentencing submissions.
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