Man, 19, sentenced for indecent treatment of a child

A teen who exposed his genitalia, sent a indecent video and persuaded a young girl to send nude photos has avoided jail time.

A 19-year-old man was sentenced to two years’ probation in Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to five offences including indecently treating a child under 16 (expose), indecent treatment of a child under 16 (procure to commit).Picture: Patrick Woods.

A teen who exposed his genitalia and persuaded a young girl to send nude photos has avoided jail time, a court has heard.

The now 19-year-old was sentenced to two years’ probation in Maroochydore District Court after he pleaded guilty to five offences including indecently treating a child under 16 (expose), indecent treatment of a child under 16 (procure to commit).

The court heard the teen was talking to the young girl on social media when he sent her a picture of his penis on multiple occasions and convinced her to send a photo of her genitalia over a couple days between October 23 and 26, last year.

Judge Glen Cash said the then 18-year-old also showed himself masturbating while on a video call with the girl.

Mr Cash said the teen initially denied his behaviour, but quickly “owned up” to what he had done.

The court heard the man was medicated for several disorders including autism spectrum disorder and had a mental capacity up to five years younger than his actual age.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said the man had assistance from learning support to complete his education.

Mr Dixon said the teen’s lack of any criminal history, his timely plea of guilty and the support network he had in place meant a two-year probation order was appropriate.

Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings said the maximum penalty for the offences was 14 years’ imprisonment, but agreed their were exceptional circumstances surrounding the offending.

Mr Cummings had suggested three years’ probation.

“It would be open to your honour to conclude that there are exceptional circumstances in this case such that no actual prison should be imposed,” he said.

He noted the 19-year-old’s actions were for “self gratification”.

“His offending was not as a precursor to physical contact,” he said.

He said a three-year order would give him more supervision and support in the community.

The teen also pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 of or above 12 (indecent film).

Mr Cash agreed that a prison sentence was not an appropriate punishment for the 19-year-old.

“(He) labours with challenging intellectual functioning such that his capacity to properly appreciate the wrongness of what he was doing is different to someone who doesn't face the same challenges,” he said.

The teen thanked Mr Cash.

“Your honour I promise you this will never happen again … I just want to get back to my life and get the supports that I need and the help that I need,” he said.

No conviction was recorded.