Thomas Peacock has drunken outburst in court after being jailed for child sex offending

A 45-year-old man hurled a drunken tirade at a judge as she jailed him for sexually abusing a homeless child, telling her it was a “non-crime”.

A predator had a drunken outburst during his 10am sentencing after he was jailed for sexually abusing a homeless child.

Thomas Francis Peacock, 45, told Judge Liesl Kudelka “this is not what justice is” as he was put behind bars for what he considered a “non-crime”.

Judge Kudelka found Peacock guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse in August but acquitted him of the more serious charge of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.

Lisa Dunlop, for the prosecution, told the District Court during his trial the “lonely” 16-year-old met Mr Peacock on social media in late 2019.

The court heard the victim went to Mr Peacock’s Myponga house with another 16-year-old girl in 2020 and they stayed the night.

Thomas Peacock had a drunken outburst in court while being jailed for child sex offending. Photo: Facebook

“In the morning, (the victim) will tell you that she went and got into the bed with the other two … and sexual activity took place between the three of them at that time,” Ms Dunlop said.

Police arrested Mr Peacock shortly after and he was released from custody.

“Somewhat cautiously and somewhat more carefully than before, that relationship with (the victim) … continues up to and past her 17th birthday in August 2020,” Ms Dunlop said.

In her published reasons, Judge Kudelka said Peacock admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim in April 2020, with his defence being he believed she was of age.

She said Peacock bragged to a friend in a text about having a threesome, describing the victim and her friend as “both only 17 omg”.

Judge Kudelka said she found the victim was determined to have Peacock believe she was older than she was but that was a reflection of her immaturity and vulnerability.

“In hindsight you admitted that you probably should have been more across it. There is no doubt you should have been more across it,” she said.

Judge Kudelka said Peacock, a father-of-four, was meant to be a responsible adult but he showed no responsibility at all.

She sentenced Peacock to one year and 11 months jail, with a non-parole period of one year.

“My mum died and she turned up for a threesome and now I am going to jail for it. I should have known better. My bad,” Peacock said.

Judge Kudelka asked Peacock, who kept interrupting, if he was finished.

“I wish you were,” Peacock replied.

“This is not okay, bro, this is not what justice is.

“It’s not even a crime in any other state.”

Judge Kudelka said the law says that men like Peacock who have sex with young girls need to go to jail.

“Mr Peacock, it’s plain to me that you’re intoxicated this morning as well, just for the record,” she said.

“Why would I not be? Having to come here for a non-crime,” Peacock replied, before being taken into custody.