‘Horrifying’: Lead child advocacy group’s call for sentencing overhaul as vile child predator jailed over grooming attempt
A leading advocacy group has called for action on the “horrifying” sentence given to a pedophile who tried to groom a mum and her two underage kids.
WARNING: Graphic content
Calls are mounting for the Queensland government to consider the “horrifying” sentence of a “menace” child predator who could apply for parole immediately after being convicted.
Bravehearts, one of Australia’s leading child advocacy organisations, has voiced outrage after Kristofer Stanley Kerwin was jailed for 2.5 years over the attempted grooming, with the District Court being told of his sick messages for the fictitious mum to teach the kids to perform sexual acts when they met up.
Kerwin was last week sentenced to 2.5 years’ jail after pleading guilty to charges of grooming a child under 16 and a single charge of possessing child exploitation material.
The court was told the 33-year-old began messaging someone he thought was a mum to a boy and girl, both under 16, after getting in touch through an image-sharing website in February 2023.
In reality, the profile belonged to an undercover police officer.
With more than a year already spent in pre-sentence custody on remand, Kerwin was made immediately eligible for parole by District Court Judge John Allen KC.
“You’re a real menace, you’re a danger to children,” Judge Allen told Kerwin.
“It’s obvious the parole board would need to give earnest consideration to the risk you pose to children.”
Bravehearts director of research Carol Ronken said the organisation was alarmed by the sentencing outcome.
“Based on the reports we have seen on this matter, it is clear that Kerwin acted with purpose and intent to commit sexual offences against children,” Ms Ronken said.
“That he was made immediately eligible for parole is horrifying.”
Ms Ronken said it was thankful no actual children were harmed, but the sentence did not reflect the danger and risk he posed to the community.
During last week’s sentencing, Crown prosecutor Isabelle MacNicol said Kerwin had told the fictitious woman he wanted to have a sexual relationship with her and her kids, later asking for pictures.
The messages became more vile as the days progressed.
In one he asked if the children had ever been “touched” before and said: “If it’s OK I really want to try f**king.”
In another message he suggested the woman teach the children to “suck c**k and munch p***y”.
Kerwin also indicated he “wasn’t too sure how far” he would go with the woman’s daughter other than suggesting “anal (sex)”.
He was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant on February 8 by police after agreeing to meet the fictitious woman there.
Kerwin was also found to have a child exploitation video on his phone.
The court was also told he had a history of failing to comply with court orders and reporting obligations as a child sex offender over the years.
Ms Ronken told NCA NewsWire the offences Kerwin was charged with did not truly reflect the danger and risk he posed, especially to children.
“In light of his stated history of failing to comply with previous orders and reporting obligations as a child sex offender, and lack of successful rehabilitation, we would be extremely concerned that Kerwin continues to pose a high risk to children,” she said.
“When victims and survivors see such sentencing outcomes for individuals that the system agrees are a risk and possess a sexually deviant interest in children, any belief that the trauma of going through the criminal justice process will be worth it is shattered.”
Ms Ronken said Bravehearts was calling on the state government to consider the sentencing outcome and strengthen legislation for adequate sentencing.
“I sincerely hope that if granted parole, conditions will include at the very least intensive supervision and mandatory rehabilitation programs,” she said.
In a statement, the office of Queensland’s Attorney-General said it would be “inappropriate” to comment as the case was still within the appeal period.
A spokesman said the government was committed to holding perpetrators of child sexual offences to account.
Reforms to child sexual offence laws were introduced in late 2020, some of which included new offences for failing to report and failing to protect a child from institutional child sexual abuse, an extension of the offence of grooming.
“Courts are given discretion to consider many factors in sentencing and of course where there has been an error of law or the sentencing is considered manifestly inadequate an appeal can be pursued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP),” the spokesman said.
An ODPP spokesman said: “The ODPP does not comment on the sentences imposed by the court but reviews all sentences as a matter of course to consider if they should be the subject of appeal.”
During last week’s sentencing, Kerwin’s defence barrister Gavin Webber said his client had a serious psychiatric condition and needed “intense” help.
The court was told Kerwin had spent 393 days in pre-sentence custody awaiting his sentencing.
It was ultimately declared as time already served as part of his sentence.
Mr Webber said little had been said of Kerwin’s personal circumstances during previous hearings, saying his client was suicidal at the time and had struggled with suicidal ideation.
Kerwin was still able to work, having received a certificate 3 in hospitality and diploma in music, and would live with his mother in Maryborough, north of Brisbane.