Steven Brimelow: Pagewood man’s sexual proposition to high school student on Bondi Junction bus

Soon after boarding a bus, a high school student received a tap on the shoulder from the man sitting behind her. The man then asked for the child’s phone number so she could “call me any time for sex”, a court heard.

Soon after boarding a bus at Bondi Junction, a young girl returning home from school received a tap on the shoulder from a 41-year-old man who started off by introducing himself as “Steven”.

A court heard the man then told the child he was a DJ who plays at weddings and parties, and asked for her phone number so she could “call (him) any time for sex”.

Pagewood man Steven Brimelow pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally inciting a child, aged between 10 and 16, to do a sexual act to them at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.

On November 11, 2020, Brimelow started off his day drinking at 8:30am — consuming around 14 schooners of beer — before hitting up the pokies and buying some more booze, the court heard.

It was just after 2pm when he boarded the bus and saw the child, returning home in her high school uniform, and struck up a conversation by first introducing himself as “Steven”, a DJ who resided in Pagewood a court heard.

Brimelow faced Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: Nikki Short.

“(Brimelow) continued to speak to the victim and asked her a number of questions, despite feeling uncomfortable, the victim tried to be polite and kept answering the questions,” court documents state.

“After some time, Brimelow asked the victim for her phone so that he could enter his phone number into it, allowing her to call him should she want his DJ services.”

The court heard Brimelow then asked the victim to “lean closer to him” so he could whisper something into her ear.

According to agreed police facts, Brimelow whispered, “Now that you have my number you can call me any time for sex or anything”.

After the victim told Brimelow she was still a child — younger than 16 — he replied “it doesn’t matter” and “don’t be scared”, the court heard.

As the schoolgirl moved to exit the bus, Brimelow said she should “call or text him later in the afternoon … and used his hand to stroke the victim on her back,” court documents state.

In court, Brimelow’s defence lawyer, Mr Dale Steffen, said the charge should be dismissed on mental health grounds as Brimelow has been diagnosed with extreme depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder.

Mr Steffen also told the court his client has a limited capacity for reflection due to his mental health struggles, but was cooperative with police and entered a guilty plea on February 9.

But Magistrate Michael Barko said while Brimelow has mental health issues, his interview with police did not show he accepted responsibility.

“It’s clear from that (police) report, it shows a lack of insight into that behaviour … (the) objective seriousness involving a (young teenage) girl,” Mr Barko said.

After the mental health application was dismissed, Brimelow was convicted and placed on an 18 month community corrections order (CCO), commencing on July 8 and expiring on January 7, 2024.