Dion Smith used Snapchat to send explicit sexual images and videos to underage girls, Mildura court hears

A former Mildura Bunnings worker told police there was a “vendetta” against him when confronted with the sexual messages, images and video he had sent to underage girls on Snapchat.

Dion Smith pleaded guilty to several charges relating to sending explicit sexual images to underage girls on Snapchat. Picture: Facebook/Snapchat

A vile Mildura grub who used Snapchat to prey on young girls he worked with has pleaded guilty to his disgusting behaviour.

Dion Smith fronted Mildura Magistrates Court on Monday, accused of sending numerous nude images and sexually explicit videos to several underage teen girls.

The 23-year-old sent his suggestive and explicit messages and images almost exclusively via the Snapchat app under the username “bigmansmithy”.

He was slapped with ten charges, including stalking, engaging in a sexual activity causing fear and distress to the victim, and intentional sexual touching without consent, among others.

He sent innumerable Snapchat images and videos to his seven victims.

Smith used Snapchat to message pictures to his victims.

Many were still images of the then-Bunnings worker’s erect penis.

Others were more sexually graphic, including two videos of him using sex toys on himself.

Smith sent these images and videos to the underage girls, including one who was aged 15 at the time of the offending, over a four-year period starting in 2018 and continuing through to 2022.

Smith will spend eight months behind bars after being sentenced in Mildura court. Picture: Mark Stewart

Four Victim Impact Statements (VIS) were submitted to the magistrate with three of them read aloud.

“He knew I was a kid,” one VIS read. “It has affected my relationship with my Dad.”

The VIS spoke of anger, anxiety, discomfort, frustration and panic attacks.

“His behaviour is sick. He is a predator,” another victim read to the court.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan was moved by the statements, telling Smith he was “distressed” by them.

“I have to try and extract myself and deal with you objectively,” he said.

In one of the Snapchat messages, Smith told one of his victims, “refer to me as big daddy”.

In another message he asked a 15-year-old victim, “Is it weird I want to take your virginity?”

In September 2022, police conducted a search warrant at Smith’s address and seized electronic and storage devices. They also found 4.22kg of fireworks.

When Smith was presented with the various incriminating screenshots the victims had taken, he denied all allegations.

Smith suggested to police, “it seems everyone ... has a vendetta against me”.

He went on to say one of the pictures could have been sent by a mutual friend, adding “I have sent plenty of c--- pics before”.

Mr Coghlan admonished Smith when handing down his sentence for victim blaming behaviour when he was confronted by police with irrefutable evidence, calling his suggestion of a “vendetta” against him, “absolute nonsense”.

Smith was sentenced to a total of eight months behind bars and given an 18-month community corrections order upon his release.

He was put on the sex offenders register for a total of 15 years.