Man faces Hervey Bay District Court for indecent treatment of two girls

A Hervey Bay court has heard a man groomed two underage girls after contacting them on Facebook then beginning romantic relationships with each of them.

A child predator who used Facebook to groom two underage girls had exploited their longing for support and love from an adult, a court has heard.

The 42-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to five charges in the Hervey Bay District Court on Monday, including seven counts of indecent treatment of a child aged under 16 years, indecent filming of a child under 16, grooming of a child under 16, driving while suspended and possessing a knife in a public place.

The court heard the victims, who were both known to each other, were contacted by the man through Facebook Messenger, with the first being contacted in late 2021 and the second in late 2022.

One of the girls was aged 15, the other 13.

The court was told the qualified carpenter met his first victim at the beach and shortly afterwards began a “physical and emotionally romantic relationship” with her.

The court was told images of them in a bed together were shared on Facebook.

The pair would be in a relationship until the man was returned to custody in November 2021.

Upon being released on parole for unrelated offences the man contacted the second victim via Facebook as well.

Shortly afterwards they met at a shopping centre and agreed to be in a “monogamous relationship”, the court was told.

The first victim then contacted him and asked why he was talking to the younger girl, to which he replied “there’s nothing wrong with what we are doing.”

Explicit messages as well as descriptions of images sent between the two were read out in court.

‘SEXUAL PREFERENCE FOR YOUNG GIRLS’

Crown prosecutor Katrina Overell said the man took advantage of the fact the two girls “were looking for support and love from an adult”.

“He has shown a sexual preference for young girls,” she said.

“His repeated offending on parole is an aggravating factor and shows he is an ongoing risk to the community.”

Judge Nicholas Andreatidis described the man’s behaviour as “heinous and egregious”. FILE PHOTO

Judge Nicholas Andreatidis said to the man: “She loved you and thought you would listen”.

“You showed them the attention they were not used to and contacted them to engage in corruptive behaviour.”

Describing his behaviour as “heinous and egregious”, Mr Andreatidis said: “There is a need to protect other children from your behaviour within the community”.

“There is no evidence of you seeking or wanting therapy to treat your behaviour,” he said.

Mr Andreatidis sentenced the man to a cumulative prison sentence of two years and nine months, with a parole release date of February 2, 2024.

The 251 days he had spent in custody were declared as time served and convictions were recorded.

He will be added to the Child Protection Offender Register in Queensland.