Convicted child sex offender Braiden Troy Spalding faces Coffs Harbour court after being caught with social media, email accounts

A Coffs man convicted of sexually abusing a child has been found with undeclared social and email accounts, breaching sex offender obligations. He also used Snapchat to track a man down and threaten him, a court heard.

Coffs Harbour Courthouse. File image.

A young Coffs Harbour man convicted of sexually abusing a child has been found with undeclared social media and email accounts, breaching registered sex offender obligations.

Braiden Troy Spalding’s offending involved sexual intercourse with a child older than 14 and younger than 16 in 2021, court documents show.

He was placed on the NSW Child Protection Register in July last year.

Police went to the 22-year-old’s house for a compliance check on August 9 last year.

They found Spalding had a computer with access to several email accounts – and both Snapchat and Instagram accounts he had not told police about.

He faced Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to comply with register reporting obligations. Two further charges were withdrawn.

Spalding has an extensive criminal history including fraud, intimidation and domestic violence such as choking.

Braiden Spalding leaving Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday.

Spalding also pleaded guilty to one count each of stalking and intimidation, and intentionally or recklessly damaging property.

That offending occurred about 11.30pm on November 11 last year at Coffs Harbour, when Spalding used Snapchat to message the victim: “I’m going to get you and f--k you up.”

He then used the same platform’s location tracker and went to the victim’s home.

Spalding yelled “come down here” and threatened to “break down” the door.

“Come out to the street, don’t be a mouse, come out like a man,” he screamed.

Spalding walked away, but returned and threw rocks at the home. A window was smashed, resulting in the damaging property charge.

Magistrate Theresa Hamilton ordered an updated sentence assessment report.

The case was adjourned to May 22.