Wodonga crime: Steven Watson pleads guilty to child sex offences

A judge labelled a Wodonga boilermarker a “predator” for trying to groom an undercover cop posed as a teen before jailing him in front of his parents.

Steven Watson pleaded guilty in Wodonga County Court.

A judge has savaged a “predatory” Wodonga boilermaker who “actively” chased underage females for sexual gratification” before sentencing him to jail as his parents watched in court.

Steve Watson was sentenced to a minimum of 12 months jail after he earlier pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material in Wodonga County Court.

Judge Anne Hassan said it was clear the 33-year-old came from a “stable and loving” home as his parents watched him walk away in the hands of custody officers.

Steven Watson, 33, pleaded guilty to four charges of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material in Wodonga County Court on Wednesday.

The court analysis of Watson’s phone and tablet revealed a further three sexually explicit conversations with girls he thought were under the age of 18 but was actually an undercover cop.

The 33-year-old sat with his head bowed as prosecutors told the court Watson engaged in sexual conversations on messenger app Kik with a member of Victoria Police posing as a 14-year-old girl named Emily between November 2019 and December 2020.

Watson was arrested at his workplace in December last year after police executed a search warrant at his house, where he lived with his parents.

Authorities seized Watson’s Samsung mobile phone and a Samsung Galaxy tablet located in his bedroom with the later analysis revealing the other conversations.

When talking with the undercover officer, Watson requested explicit photos and discussed sexual activities such as masturbation and losing one’s virginity.

Messages included: “What naughty things have you done? Do you like watching naughty videos? Do you want to?”

Watson also requested another girl send him “naughty pics or videos … to get (him) in the mood”.

In his police interview, Watson told police he sometimes “gets bored” and uses Kik to “talk to people, and sometimes they’re a little bit younger” but he had no intention of meeting anyone.

He did not recall speaking with anyone named Emily.

Judge Hassan said Watson had been “actively seeking out underage girls” during the course of his offending.

“I accept the prosecution’s submission that your offending can be classified as predatory,” she said.

“Children and young people have a right to be safe online.

“Your motivation is clearly seeking access for sexual gratification.”

Previously, Watson’s defence counsel Lachlan Cameron said his client had stopped using social media platforms since he was charged.

Mr Cameron said Watson had been forced to deal with the response in the community after it was reported by local media.

“He has demonstrated shame and remorse for his actions,” he said.

“He’s had an intense emotional reaction.”

Watson also pleaded guilty to firearm offences after police located an unsecured Slavia .22 rifle stored within a cupboard of his bedroom.

Ammunition was dispersed throughout the room.

Watson will be released on a recognizance release order after serving 12 months.

He must be of good behaviour and undertake a sex offender’s program as part of the orders made by Judge Hassan.

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