Berwick teen groomed girl and sent lewd videos of himself
An “opportunistic” Berwick teen sent lewd videos of himself performing a sex act to a child while grooming the 14-year-old girl on social media.
South East
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An “opportunistic” Berwick hospitality worker sent lewd videos of himself performing a sex act to a child while grooming the girl on social media.
Luke Renton, 19, pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to grooming for sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16.
The court heard Renton and his 14-year-old victim didn’t know each other but became friends on Snapchat last year.
The pair followed each other on Instagram and messaged daily.
A total of 97 voice memos were sent between May 21 and May 23 with 35 being of a sexual nature and 28 classified as grooming.
Renton sent explicit messages to the girl, detailing the sexual acts he would engage in with her.
He also sent lewd videos of himself performing a sex act.
On another occasion, Renton caught an Uber to the girl’s school and waited for her.
The girl’s father saw the pair together and spoke to Renton.
The victim later told her dad that Renton was 18 years old and they met online.
Renton’s lawyer Belinda Franjic said when the pair met, the teen had the “opportunity” to take advantage of the girl but he didn’t.
“It’s relevant in accessing his criminality that he had the opportunity but he didn't take it,” she said.
Ms Franjic said Renton didn’t “seek out” the victim rather she added him on Snapchat.
She said the offending was “opportunistic” and not predatory.
“At no stage in any of this communication did Mr Renton do anything to conceal his identity or age,” Ms Franjic said.
“He never pretended to be someone that he wasn’t.”
Ms Franjic said her client worked part-time in the hospitality sector.
She also said he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a learning disability.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell said Renton’s diagnosis’ could have impacted his judgment.
She said he was remorseful but “incredibly naive” to the issue of age.
Renton was sentenced to a community corrections order for 18 months without conviction.
He was placed on the sex offender register for a period of eight years.
