Stephen Michael Sidney Tilbrook pleads guilty to indecent treatment

A court heard a married father of three had a ‘single lapse in judgment’ when he sent a nude video to a 15-year-old girl while binge drinking.

Stephen Michael Sidney Tilbrook pleaded guilty to indecent treatment of a child in Mackay District Court. Photo: Contributed

A married man and father of three blamed his binge drinking when pleading guilty to sending a nude video to a 15-year-old girl.

The teenager was walking home from school on July 14, 2022 when she received a Snapchat from Stephen Michael Sidney Tilbrook asking how her day was, Mackay District Court heard.

“(After saying her day was good,) the defendant sent a message that said ‘I’ve been thinking about you a lot and if I had the chance I would,” Crown prosecutor Victoria Adams said.

“This message was ignored by the complainant as she didn't understand it.

“(Tilbrook then sent) a video of himself lying in his bed in his house … not wearing any pants or underwear (and) masturbating his penis with his hand.

“The complainant viewed the video for about five seconds until she realised what it was and she closed it.”

Ms Adams said the then 45-year-old then messaged the teenage girl again telling her not to tell anyone about the video.

The court heard police officers attended Tilbrook’s house to seize this phone on July 23, where he was arrested and charged.

Ms Adams argued Tilbrook had no exceptional circumstances mitigating his sentence and, citing the 31 year age difference, submitted for a six month jail sentence.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan said his client was in exceptional circumstances as he had “no criminal history whatsoever” and the offending was out of character.

Tilbrook’s wife was in court to support him and had written a character reference letter, Mr McLennan said.

Stephen Michael Sidney Tilbrook pleaded guilty to indecent treatment of a child in Mackay District Court. Photo: Contributed

He said Tilbrook had made early admissions after his arrest that he had a poor memory of the offence because of his drunkenness and argued his client should be placed on a lengthy probation.

Tilbrook told police, “Well, I was extremely intoxicated and if that's what they say happened, I must have done that”, the court heard.

Mr McLennan said his client had attended a drug and alcohol rehabilitation service to address his binge drinking.

Tilbrook pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent treatment of a child under 16.

Judge Michael Williamson KC told Tilbrook the maximum penalty for indecent treatment was 14 years’ jail.

“I accept that this is a case where there are exceptional circumstances (and) what it was, was a single lapse in Judgement,” Judge Williamson said.

“At no time did you deny the offending … the offending has had an impact, unsurprisingly, on the complainant.”

Tilbrook was sentenced to two years probation, with convictions not recorded.