Richard Carl Skrinjar in Maroochydore court for indecent treatment, grooming

A Sunshine Coast dad and reportable offender who was previously convicted for making child exploitation material has come before the court for grooming a teenage girl.

A Sunshine Coast dad and reportable offender has come before the court for grooming a teenage girl after being previously convicted of making child exploitation material.

Richard Carl Skrinjar, now 53, was given two years’ prison suspended for two and a half years, along with probation for two years upon his release, in Maroochydore District Court on August 29, 2022.

The court was told Skrinjar’s grooming of the 14-year-old girl “scarred her forever” and involved him messaging the complainant, inviting her to his house, visiting her house, indecent touching, kissing and inappropriate comments.

Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero said Skrinjar would hug the victim which made her feel uncomfortable, but she was too nervous to express how she felt.

During a six-month period between October 16 and April 10, 2021, Skrinjar communicated at least 394 times with the teenager over the phone.

He would call her “baby”, “beautiful” and said that he loved and missed the victim.

Ms Olivero said in April, 2020 Skrinjar approached her and shouted “hey sexy pants” before hugging her with his hands close to her bottom, kissing on the cheek saying he was going to marry her.

“He hugged her a second time and pointed to his cheek and said ‘give us a kiss’,” Ms Olivero told the court.

“She did not want to and told him no, although she felt uncomfortable and pressure to comply.”

Richard Carl Skrinjar.

Skrinjar also asked her to sneak out at one point before the teeanger’s mother became aware of the conduct and it was reported to police.

The court heard Skrinjar had previously been found guilty by a jury of six counts of making child exploitation material back in 2018.

The recent offending breached his suspended sentence from 2018 as it occurred during the operational period, Ms Olivero said.

Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown said his client had a supportive partner who was present in court for the sentence.

Mr Ygoa-McKeown said Skrinjar had entered an early plea of guilty and could participate in behavioural therapy in the community to rehabilitate.

The court heard Skrinjar had been subject to sexual abuse as a teenager and was using drugs at a young age which contributed to an anxiety and alcohol abuse disorder.

The father-of-two also worked in a variety of jobs including boilermaking, retail, hospitality, teaching and personal training.

Skrinja failed to report all the contact with the 14-year-old.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent treatment under 16, one count of grooming and seven counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations.