Sex offender Kenneth Ford faces Korumburra court for wanting ‘relationship’ with underage teen

A Korumburra sex offender found a 16-year-old girl “attractive” and wanted a “relationship” with her after visiting her work a number of times, a court has heard.

Kenneth Ford, 59, fronted the Korumburra Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

A Gippsland registered sex offender kept visiting the workplace of an underage girl who he found “attractive” and wanted a “relationship” with, a court has heard.

Kenneth Ford, 59, fronted the Korumburra Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to failing to comply with reporting obligations.

Ford was placed on the sex offenders list for life in March 2020, and on September 15 last year, he went to a store in Gippsland and spoke with a 16-year-old employee.

Ford complimented the victim on her looks and made other comments that made her feel uncomfortable.

He had visited the store on four occasions and focused his attention on the victim without engaging with other staff.

The victim was friendly to Ford as she believed he was a friend of her parents.
Ford then failed to notify his compliance managers about the contact.

Ford was arrested after failing to comply with his reporting obligations and told police he made a “big mistake”. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“I just stuffed up — and I made a big, big mistake — I fully regret everything,” Ford said when he was arrested in October.

Defence lawyer Meaghan Crouch pushed for a community corrections order.

She told the court Ford’s dad died when he was teenager, and he had to provide for his family.

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Ms Crouch said Ford entered an early plea, wrote a letter of apology to the court and it was never his intention to have any sort of sexual relationship with the victim — saying he instead wanted more of a friendship.

However, prosecutor Tim Cavanagh said Ford wanting a “relationship” could mean many different things.

Magistrate Stephen Lee said the penalty could be up to five years’ imprisonment for breaching obligations.

“It looks like you actually thought there was some possible relationship,” he said.

“It’s a 46-year age gap — you have completely misread the entire situation.

“You’re skating on thin ice, Mr Ford.”

Ford was placed on a community corrections order for two years with conviction and must complete 180 hours of community work.