Ashley Gerald Coulstock faces Maryborough court

A predator used a popular social media site to prey on a teenager, sending naked photos and asking for photos and sex.

Maryborough’s Ashley Gerald Coulstock, 34, pleaded guilty to using an electronic communication with intent to procure a child under 16 to engage in a sexual act and intent to expose a child under 16 to an indecent matter.

An online predator groomed a teenage girl on Snapchat, exchanging naked photos with her until his offending was discovered by her brother.

Maryborough’s Ashley Gerald Coulstock, 34, pleaded guilty to using an electronic communication with intent to procure a child under 16 to engage in a sexual act and intent to expose a child under 16 to an indecent matter.

The court heard between January 11, 2023 and April 13, 2023, Coulstock had sent several images and videos of his penis and himself masturbating to a 15-year-old girl on Snapchat.

Coulstock had sent the images with the intention of having her engage in a sexual act with him and he asked to meet her in person, but she refused, the court was told.

He continued engaging with her and asked her to have sex with him, but she declined.

During the same period, he asked the girl to send him photo and videos of herself naked, which she did.

Coulstock asked her to buy a vibrator, which she did, and sent videos of herself using it.

That included about 30 videos and images of her using the vibrator, the court heard.

Her brother checked the girl’s phone and found the photos and videos in a recently deleted folder, informing their father.

Coulstock was arrested on July 10, 2023, and he denied sending or receiving the indecent videos, the court was told.

Defence barrister Ed Whitten said Coulstock was raised by his mother and he remained close to his mum and stepfather.

Maryborough’s Ashley Gerald Coulstock, 34, pleaded guilty to using an electronic communication with intent to procure a child under 16 to engage in a sexual act and intent to expose a child under 16 to an indecent matter.

He was working towards attaining business qualifications and becoming self-employed, given the nature of the offences and the impact it could have on him finding employment in the future, the court heard.

Coulstock had the desire to retain a relationship with his children, Mr Whitten said.

He had a good work history, the court heard, and had worked in a sawmill and in retail.

At 32 he had taken up an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker.

However, he had been injured in a workplace incident and could no longer do physical labour, which led to a period of depression.

Judge Vicki Loury said protection of the community was a paramount consideration and said Coulstock had acted in a “predatory way” towards the victim.

He had been in custody since July 11, 2023, the court heard.

Judge Loury gave Coulstock a head sentence of two and a half years in prison with an operational period of four years.

The term of imprisonment was to be suspended after 294 days, giving Coulstock immediate parole.

He was also placed on a probation order for three years.

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Originally published as Ashley Gerald Coulstock faces Maryborough court