Sicko business consultant Benjamin Robert pleads guilty to grooming a person believed to be under 16
A Clyde dad and respected business consultant has been ousted as a depraved sicko after he groomed a 14-year-old schoolgirl for sex — even sending his target lewd images while in the toilet at work.
South East
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A businessman dad has been as a exposed a child sex fiend after he groomed a schoolgirl for sex via social media.
Benjamin Robert, 40, pleaded guilty in the County Court on Thursday to use a carriage service to procure a person believed to be under 16 years of age.
Robert, from Clyde, sent lewd messages and images via KiK and WhatsApp to who he believed was a 14-year-old schoolgirl named ‘Isy Cooper’.
In reality the depraved dad had engaged in “sexualised” communication with an undercover cop between February 13 and 27 this year.
Robert, under the account name ‘brobot’, sent images of his penis, called her “gorgeous” and asked for lewd images after learning his target was a 14-year-old Year 8 student.
“What ever your (sic) comfortable with babe,” Robert said.
The father of three then told Isy she had “kissable lips” and he wanted to give her a “sensual experience”.
Isy told Robert she had never had sex so the fiend said he would “leave that part for now”.
Robert then steered the conversation towards meeting in person.
He suggested the pair could meet for lunch at the beach and he could “perform oral sex” and “make her orgasm”.
Robert then asked if he could have a “sexy pic”.
“In your shorts and maybe your top … or your top and maybe just your underwear,” Robert said.
Robert sent an image of his penis to Isy while he was at work on February 20, the court heard.
The pair arranged to meet at Frankston McDonald’s on February 27.
Robert drove to Frankston just after 2pm.
He bought a box of Ferrero Rocher at a nearby service station after Isy had asked for phone credit and chocolates then made his way to the McDonald’s.
Police pounced and arrested Robert on Wells St where the sicko became emotional.
“I wasn’t gunna do anything, I wasn’t gunna do anything, please,” Robert told police.
“This is not who I am … I thought this was all just a complete joke.
“My life is ruined.”
Robert was hauled to Cranbourne police station for questioning.
Police asked about the chocolates but Robert claimed they were for his family.
“(I wanted to) be a good dad and buy some chocolates,” he said.
Police showed Robert an image of his penis but he denied it was his.
Investigators also discovered he had saved Isy’s mobile number on his phone as ‘Ian Cooper’.
The court was told Robert has a daughter about the same age as his intended victim.
Robert, who told the court he’s employed as a business development adviser, lost his job after he was charged with these offences.
Robert’s barrister told the court his client was regarded as a “hard worker”, a “good father” and a family man but his “life is ruined” since the offending.
Judge Martine Marich said Robert conducted “repeated and explicit” conversation with the undercover officer with an “intent to meet”.
Judge Marich also highlighted Robert’s intended victim was the “same or similar” age to his eldest daughter.
“I have no doubt he will be able to evaluate how grave that behaviour would be,” she said.
Robert’s bail was extended for sentencing on November 23 but he was ordered to appear in person.
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