Sydney child sex offender Evangelos Nussis pleads to perverted crimes

A child sex criminal who preyed on a “vulnerable” girl from the Illawarra is behind bars on remand after pleading guilty to a series of disgusting acts. WARNING: Graphic Content

Evangelos Nussis pleaded guilty in front of his family at Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday.

A Sydney child sex offender is in custody after pleading guilty to multiple perverted crimes against a 15-year-old girl from the Illawarra.

Evangelos Nussis, 29, walked into Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to seven counts of having sexual intercourse with a child between 14 and 16.

The court heard the Greenacre man started grooming the girl on various online platforms, including Snapchat, in early 2020.

The predator soon began catching the train to the Illawarra to have sex with the minor, who had since turned 15.

Nussis took the girl to various locations to have sex including near Wollongong Beach and motels near the city’s CBD.

The court heard that on at least one occasion Nussis didn’t wear a condom, with a dispute remaining regarding whether or not he used a condom and or if he ejaculated on three other occasions.

Magistrate Robert Walker said in court on Wednesday the two “appeared to be boyfriend and girlfriend” despite a “troubling” 12-year age gap.

Evangelos Nussis would catch the train to Wollongong to have sex with the minor, the court heard.

The court heard the relationship was underpinned by the “vulnerable” girl’s desire to “confide” in Nussis.

Upon pleading guilty, the Director of Public Prosecutions applied to revoke Nussis’ bail, citing the 10-year maximum prison sentence for each charge and the likelihood he would receive a full-time custodial sentence.

Nussis’ barrister Phillip Butterfield submitted it was “not inevitable” his client would be sent behind bars.

Mr Butterfield argued Nussis has special circumstances including looking after his elderly parents as well as his struggles with mental health and sleep apnoea.

“This is the perfect example of grooming,” Mr Walker said, before Mr Butterfield interjected to say his client had not pleaded guilty to grooming offences.

“But that's what he did, he groomed her for sex,” Mr Walker replied.

“An ICO can’t be used due to the nature of this offence. A CCO is an option as Mr Butterfield has submitted, but this is one of the most serious [examples] I’ve seen with an older man coming all the way to Wollongong to take advantage of a younger woman.”

Mr Walker said Nussis’ circumstances weren’t special and revoked his bail, adding a full-time custodial sentence was “inevitable”.

A two-year apprehended violence order was also put in place between Nussis and the victim.

The case will move to Wollongong District Court next month for a disputed facts hearing ahead of Nussis’ sentencing at a later date.