Lachlan Risse: Emu Heights man sentenced for sexually touching teenage girl

A man’s illegal relationship with a 13-year-old girl – six years his junior – involving sexually explicit Snapchat messages and a secret phone ended when it was uncovered by the victim’s father, a court has heard.

Lachlan Risse walking into Penrith District Court

A man, who bought an engagement ring and shared sexually explicit videos on Snapchat with a 13-year-old girl, six years his junior, has been sentenced for child sexual touching offences.

Lachlan Risse, 21 of Emu Heights, was sentenced on four counts of sexually touch a child at Penrith District Court on December 9.

The courtroom was heavy with emotion as Judge Karen Robinson acknowledged the negative effects the proceedings had on Risse, who has an intellectual disability, and offered him reassurance before sentencing.

“I am not sending you to jail Mr Risse.”

Facts heard in court revealed how Risse and the girl, then aged 13, would message each other primarily on Snapchat and at one point discussed moving in together.

The matter was dealt with at Penrith Local Court

Risse would send her sexual pictures and video, including a video of himself masturbating and request she send similar content back

On one occasion Risse uploaded an image of a ring to the platform captioned: “My girlfriend’s engagement ring.”

The court heard Risse continued contacting the girl, despite being told by her father he had reported their relationship to the police.

Due to concerns for their daughter’s wellbeing the victim’s parents placed a tracking device on her phone, which prompted Risse to give her a secret phone.

The most serious charges relate to an incident on December 20 2021 when Risse met the girl at a park and cupped her right breast for around 20 seconds.

A short time later while the victim was sitting on Risse’s lap he unbuttoned her pants and cupped her vagina. The girl pushed Risse’s hand away and said no.

Risse stayed in contact with the girl until February 6 when the secret phone was discovered.

The victim then admitted to her father the pair were still in contact, prompting him to file a police report.

A few days later Risse was arrested and taken to Springwood police station before receiving conditional bail.

The court heard Risse has a mild intellectual disability and his schooling was difficult due to his multiple cognitive deficits.

The court also heard due to his “social naivety” Risse had limited romantic success but previously had an age appropriate girlfriend with a cognitive disability

Judge Robinson acknowledged while the victim “appeared a willing participant” in the relationship.

“I accept it was a genuine and committed relationship on the offender’s part but I also appreciate it was unlawful,” she said.

Judge Robinson also acknowledged while the six year age difference was a “comparatively small” it was one Risse was fully aware of.

Risse was convicted and sentenced to four 18-month community corrections orders, requiring him to do 75 hours of community service.