David Frederick Boyd groomed teenage girl, sent nudes as a ‘hobby’

A police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl busted a Sunshine Coast FIFO worker who groomed the fictitious teenager and sent her several naked photos of himself.

A Sunshine Coast FIFO worker has avoided jail time for grooming a police officer who was posing as a 14-year-old girl and sending several photos of his genitalia.

David Frederick Boyd, 58, was working in Central Queensland in March, 2020, when he came into contact with a fictitious teenager named Ashley via two online messaging platforms.

Judge Glen Cash said police, who were acting as Ashley, had informed Boyd early on in the conversation that the girl was only 14, but he proceeded to turn the chat to sexual matters.

“With the subtlety of a train wreck you said to her, ‘Call me and you can suck my c--k’, and following this charming opening gambit you sent her photos of your penis,” Mr Cash said.

David Boyd leaving Maroochydore District Court.

On a second occasion in May, the 58-year-old sent a naked photo of himself lying face down on the beach, followed by a second photo of himself holding his exposed genitalia and a third close-up image of his groin while wearing underwear.

The court also heard Boyd had made comments about Ashley’s appearance and her breasts.

Police confronted Boyd about the offending when he returned home on May 15.

He told police talking to people online was a “hobby” and admitted he was speaking with her for sexual gratification and to “get himself off”.

David Boyd leaving Maroochydore District Court.

In Boyd’s defence, solicitor Mark McCarthy said his client had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Spectrum Disorder since the offending and had attended 23 therapy sessions.

“Mr Boyd is extremely distressed and greatly remorseful,” Mr McCarthy told the court.

“He now presents with insight into the seriousness of his offending and now has a well developed capacity for empathy.”

Mr McCarthy said Boyd’s long-term relationship had ended as a result of his contact with the fictitious teenager.

David Boyd leaving Maroochydore District Court.

Boyd had already pleaded guilty to two counts of grooming a child under 16 years with intent to expose them to an indecent matter in May of 2021 in the Maroochydore District Court.

He was sentenced on Friday, November 26, to six months’ imprisonment, suspended immediately for 12 months.

A conviction was recorded and he will become a reportable offender.