Steven Murray Bernicke pleads guilty to seven child sexual offence charges in Cairns District Court

A man who “prostituted” a 14-year-old boy cried after he was sentenced on seven charges including four counts of indecent treatment in Cairns District Court.

Steve Bernicke.

A man who “prostituted” a 14-year-old boy cried after he was sentenced on seven charges including four counts of indecent treatment in Cairns District Court.

Steven Murray Bernicke, 45, pleaded guilty to the indecent treatment charges, along with grooming a child under 16 years or parent to facilitate.

Crown prosecutor Shauna Farrelly told Cairns District Court on Thursday Bernicke regularly and persistently contacted the 14-year-old boy on Snapchat and Facebook messenger seeking sexually explicit images.

The court heard he paid the $2452 into the boy’s account over time, a move which was his undoing when the boy’s mother discovered her son’s bank balance.

Bernicke cried after he was sentenced on seven charges including four counts of indecent treatment in Cairns District Court.

There was graduated sexual contact to a serious level despite the boy’s oral and physical resistance and he significantly manipulated the child, Ms Farrelly said.

“He effectively prostituted the child and corrupted his childhood,” she said.

Bernicke urged the boy to send explicit images of other children as well, Ms Farrelly said.

The boy delivered a victim impact statement to the court via audiolink, saying he was struggling emotionally and psychologically.

“I struggle to sleep at night, you have no sorrow for putting me through this, I am a child who didn’t know any better, I was scared and vulnerable and physically I won’t trust anyone again, no matter how long I’ve known them,” the boy said.

“I learned it was all just a game to him. I can’t live in the past, I don’t know if I was the first or last, but I know it can ruin a person.

“It was unimaginable and unforgivable and I hope he gets what he deserves,” the boy said.

Ms Farrelly said Bernicke’s actions were predatory.

Steven Murray Bernicke, 45, wept in the dock and was comforted by his solicitor after being sentenced on seven child sexual offences. Cairns District Court heard he paid a boy a total of $2452 to send explicit images. Picture: Supplied

Judge Paul Smith said Bernicke’s physical offending was quite brazen and over Snapchat, he planned for the boy to perform a sex act on him.

He noted Bernicke declined to provide police access to his phone and declined an interview.

Bernicke received a head sentence of six years, with 192 days of pre-sentence custody declared as time served.

He will be eligible for parole on November 12, 2025.

Bernicke reacted to the sentence by weeping, and was comforted by his solicitor, who put a hand on his shoulder as he stood trembling in the dock.

Originally published as Steven Murray Bernicke pleads guilty to seven child sexual offence charges in Cairns District Court