Child rapist back behind bars after sending nudes on Snapchat

A convicted child rapist was busted with child abuse material while on a suspended sentence when he carried out his latest sexual crimes.

Ronald Trent Girdler, 34, was a reportable sex offender, as a result of two convictions for rape in 2020, when his distribution of the child sex images was uncovered, Rockhampton District Court heard on October 25, 2023.

A man previously jailed for raping a child has been placed back behind bars after sending images via Snapchat of young girls engaging in sexual activities.

Ronald Trent Girdler, 34, was a reportable sex offender, as a result of two convictions for rape, when his distribution of the images was uncovered, Rockhampton District Court heard on October 25.

Crown prosecutor Ken Spinaze said police searched Girdler’s phone on September 13, 2022, and uncovered the offences.

The court heard Girdler downloaded and then sent images of two different pre-pubescent girls engaged in sexual activity to users on Snapchat.

In doing so, he breached his three-year prison term partially suspended sentence handed down in the district court in 2020 for two counts of rape.

Defence barrister Julie Marsden said her client’s marriage broke down six years ago and he is now divorced.

She said he now resides with his mother.

Ms Marsden said he had previously worked as a welder but is living off a disability pension due to chronic migraines and was also diagnosed with depression, a personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder from teenage bullying.

Ms Marsden said Girdler did not have issues with drugs or alcohol and attends counselling once or twice a month for his depression and has spoken about his sex offending since being released from prison, and he is medicated.

Girdler pleaded guilty to one count of distribution child abuse material and one of possessing child abuse material.

Judge Jeff Clarke activated Girdler’s suspended sentence and sentenced him to nine months prison to start after the previous sentence ends.

He set parole eligibility for October 25, 2024.

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