Michael Amery: Werrington man defends sexual messages sent to girl
A western Sydney man who admitted to bombarding a teenage girl with online messages, seeking out sex with her, has defended his actions by saying some teens are “more mature” for their age.
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A western Sydney man who sought out sex with a 14-year-old girl has left the teen living in fear, a court has heard.
Werrington man Michael Robert Amery, 48, faced Penrith District Court on Monday ahead of his sentencing on Friday after admitting to using a carriage service to procure a child under 16 for sexual activity.
Detectives began investigating Amery last August after receiving reports of his messages to the teen.
Undercover police began messaging him, using the alias of a 14-year-old girl, with Amery discussing his desire to engage in sexual acts with the teen.
He was arrested at Westfield Penrith, where he had arranged to meet the teen, in September.
The court heard the teen had been too scared to go about her normal life after Amery began messaging her online in June last year.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the teen expressed fears around walking to school alone, going to the shops or sleeping over at a friends’ house since the incident.
“I don’t have sleepovers with my friends... I’m scared to walk to school by myself,” the teen said.
“I hate going shopping because I’m scared someone like him will approach me.”
She said she was worried Amery would find out where she lived and come after her following his release from jail.
Despite the teen ignoring his messages, Amery continually tried to contact her, which the teen described as “feeling harassed”.
The prosecution said Amery has shown little remorse for his behaviour, even defending his actions by arguing some 14-year-olds were “mature for their age”.
The court heard the man had made “troubling remarks” about his offending in interviews with police and psychologists, admitting the aim of his messaging was driven by his desire to achieve “sexual and emotional intimacy” with the girl.
“It’s clear there has been an effect on the victim and she suffered harm,” the prosecution said.
“The offender makes concerning comments such as, ‘I know some 14-year-olds are very mature’.
“There are a number of instances where the offender attempts to minimise his conduct by highlighting the maturity of the victim or saying he was somehow enticed by the victim.”
Amery’s defence called on Judge Sharon Harris to consider the victim’s age as being at the older end of the category, making her potentially more aware of Amery’s intentions.
“In comparison, the messages sent to (undercover police) were much more significantly serious messages than those sent to the victim,” the defence said.
Amery will be sentenced this Friday, June 26.