Western Downs man sends graphic image to underage girl in police bust, appears in Dalby District Court

A Dalby man who thought he was sending a string of explicit messages and a graphic photo to an underage girl was actually in contact with an undercover cop, a court has been told.

Clayton James Mace was sentenced in Dalby District Court for using an electronic communication device with intent to procure a person he believed was under 16 to commit a sexual act. Picture: Facebook

A man who thought he was sending online messages to a 13-year-old girl over the course of two weeks before sending a graphic photo of himself to a police officer in an undercover operation has blamed his mental health for the offence.

Clayton James Mace appeared before Dalby District Court on March 6, after sending an image of his penis to what he thought was a young girl on October 6 in 2021.

A month earlier on September 25 in 2021 the 28-year-old, who previously lived in Chinchilla, was contacted by an undercover police officer over Facebook messenger who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.

Crown prosecutor Natalie Lima said the man was made aware of the girl’s age from the beginning before sending a string of explicit messages asking the underage girl to send naked photos of herself to him.

Judge Dennis Lynch said that prior to Mace sending the graphic photo he had asked the fake 13-year-old girl to go to her bathroom and take photos of herself in her underwear.

“I want nudes really,” Mace said.

“We can try together.”

When the undercover police officer asked why, the man said “to help me get horny”.

After the conversation continued, Mace sent a photo of his penis before saying he would send a video.

Defence barrister Frank Martin told the court Mace who had no criminal history had begun seeing two psychologists following the event to assist in mental health treatment and submitted a report that said the man was at low risk of reoffending.

While sentencing the man, Judge Lynch acknowledged Mace was “profoundly depressed” before committing the offence due to having no contact with his two children and the breakdown of his relationship with his children’s mother.

“I accept this was genuinely out of character for you,” Judge Lynch said.

He pleaded guilty to using an electronic communication device with intent to procure a person he believed was under 16 to commit a sexual act.

He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, and no conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Western Downs man sends graphic image to underage girl in police bust, appears in Dalby District Court