Mackay estate agent Matthew Michael McEachern pleads guilty to grooming a child

A Mackay man posed as a teen boy online to coerce a young girl into sending him explicit photos and engaging in indecent interactions with him. See how he was busted. 

Matthew Michael McEachern, 28, leaving the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

A well-known real estate agent from Mackay, who is no stranger to maintaining online “connections”, has faced court for grooming a child and having her send him near-nude photos.

Matthew Michael McEachern, 28, of Rural View appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday November 24 and pleaded guilty to one count of grooming a child under the age of 16.

The court heard the man maintained an online relationship with a 15-year-old girl between March and May last year while purporting to be a teenage boy of 17 years.

The pair exchanged about 5000 messages via app Wink over a six-to seven-week period, during which Mr McEachern asked the child if she sent “nudes” and described sexual acts he wanted to perform on her.

Police prosecutor Rose Killip said the girl sent photos of herself in underwear to Mr McEachern at his request. He transferred $50 to her bank account.

Ms Killip said the man’s offending only ceased because it became known to police, rather than of his own accord.

A search warrant was executed at his residence and he was formally charged.

Defence barrister Anthony Kimmins told the court his client had experienced significant levels of “self-loathing” since the offending and was at a “low risk” of committing further crimes.

Matthew Michael McEachern, 28, leaving the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

He argued Mr McEachern would be “vulnerable” in a prison environment due to his mental illness, which he said largely contributed to his offending.

The court heard Mr McEachern had previously had similar online “connections” with adults.

Magistrate John McGrath took the arguments of both the prosecution and the defence into consideration when deciding an appropriate penalty, describing the agent’s behaviour as “inexcusable”.

He lamented on the “puzzling” nature of his actions as an established person who had a job with his father, a long-term relationship with his now-fiance, and recently – after offending – bought a home.

Given his prospects of rehabilitation and displays of remorse, Mr McGrath decided a term of imprisonment was not appropriate.

Mr McEachern was released to remain under the supervision of an authorised corrective services officer for two years.

He was ordered to pay $5000 compensation to his victim, continue with the medical treatment he was currently in receipt of, and comply with a number of other conditions including remaining in the state of Queensland.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Mackay estate agent Matthew Michael McEachern pleads guilty to grooming a child