Adam John Koina jailed for having sexual relationship with an underage girl

A Newcastle man who got a 14-year-old girl pregnant after their friendship had turned into a sexual relationship was “immature”, a court has heard.

Adam John Koina was jailed for at least 2.5 years following a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Istock

A Newcastle man who got a 14-year-old girl pregnant after their friendship had turned into a sexual relationship was “immature” and “socially awkward” and preferred the company of younger people, a court has heard.

In March 2014, Adam John Koina, 30, from New Lambton, had unprotected sex with the teen girl after both had attended a “party night” where they were observed kissing and having intimate contact.

The court heard the pair had also engaged in sexual intercourse in July or August 2015 before she received a positive pregnancy test some months later.

Koina accompanied the 15-year-old, along with her parents, when the pregnancy was terminated because “he felt he had a responsibility to”.

In Newcastle Local Court on Friday Koina appeared via video link, with family and friends supporting him in court, as he was sentenced for a charge of sexual intercourse with a person aged 10-14 and another charge of sexual intercourse with a person aged 14-16, which he previously pleaded guilty to.

Koina was jailed following sentencing at Newcastle District Court on Friday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

Judge Peter McGrath jailed Koina for four and a half years, with a non-parole period of two and a half years, which means he’ll be eligible for release in May, 2025.

Judge McGrath said the fact the offences took place during a consensual sexual relationship did not mitigate the offending, but he accepted his “genuine remorse” and that he had apologised to the victim for his actions.

The court heard at one point the girl had gone to see a GP who reported the relationship to the Department of Community Services which prompted an investigation by the Child Abuse Squad (CAS).

At that stage the young girl and her parents did not wish for the matter to proceed and Koina was immediately contacted by detectives and warned about the relationship and her age.

But despite it ending there, the pair reunited a short time later and continued their sexual relationship until she was 16.

Following the termination of the girl’s pregnancy in October 2015, police obtained samples which confirmed DNA matched Koina, but it wasn’t until four years later the young girl decided to come forward to reactivate an investigation.

The court heard that prompted a covert operation which was initially delayed by covid but then in January, 2021 the victim had arranged to meet with Koina where their conversation was recorded by officers.

It was then Koina made admissions to knowing the girl’s age at the time they started having sex. He was arrested in April last year.