Caleb Kirk Kinney faces Toowoomba District Court over child sex offences

The mother of a 10-year-old girl, who was extorted by a man twice her age for lewd images, has revealed the long-lasting impacts she has suffered.

The mother of a 10-year-old girl who was extorted by a man twice her age has revealed the traumatic impact the Rangeville man’s degrading acts has had on her.

Caleb Kirk Kinney appeared in Toowoomba District Court last week where he pleaded guilty to using the internet to procure children under 16, extortion, making and possessing child exploitation material.

The court was told the 20-year-old began messaging the victim, a 10-year-old girl, over Instagram from about January 2020.

Kinney made threats against the girl if she didn’t send him lewd images of herself, and once she did he used them as leverage against her in an extortion attempt to get her to send more, Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said.

Kinney’s home was raided in February 2021 where more than 100 child exploitation videos and images were found.

In court last week, Ms Friedewald read from a victim impact statement written by the victim’s mother.

In it, the victim’s mother said her daughter remained scared of others and had to undergo extensive counselling as a result to manage her emotions and anxiety.

“She has been less inclined to go to school since these offences have happened which has had various impacts, not just to the complainant’s education but also to her parents,” Ms Friedewald said.

“The impact is described as ‘lingering and a continual reminder’ that the complainant will not get her innocent childhood back.”

Kinney’s defence barrister, Dan Boddice, said his client lived with autism spectrum disorder which impacted his capacity to develop appropriate relationships and saw him enter into sexualised role play.

Mr Boddice said his extortion attempt was a reflection of his immaturity.

The court was told Kinney was remorseful for his actions, and that with ongoing treatment he would be a “low risk” of committing any further offences.

Judge Paul Smith convicted Kinney and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was also placed on probation for two years for all charges.

ORIGINAL STORY: A Rangeville man has been given a taste of what time behind bars was like after a judge remanded him in custody ahead of his sentence for child exploitation charges.

Caleb Kirk Kinney appeared in Toowoomba District Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to using the internet to procure children under 16, extortion, making and possessing child exploitation material.

The 20-year-old began messaging the victim, a then 10-year-old girl who he didn’t know, over social media app Instagram from about January 2020, the court was told.

Kinney repeatedly complimented her appearance despite her telling him she felt uncomfortable with the messages, Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said.

The messages continued for a number of days with Kinney requesting she send lewd images of herself.

“Concerningly, when she refused to do so, he threatened to track her down, find her details and release them online,” Ms Friedewald said.

After persistent messaging by Kinney, the victim eventually did send five lewd photographs of herself, before immediately blocking him and telling her father.

“(Kinney), not deterred by her blocking him on Instagram, created four new accounts under various names in an attempt to re-establish communication with her,” Ms Friedewald said.

The court was told each time she recognised who it was she blocked him until some months later when he made another fake account and messaged the victim.

Ms Friedewald said Kinney then demanded further images from the victim and threatened to post online the images she had already sent him, telling her “I have dealt with people your age before”.

After the matters were reported to police, Kinney’s home was raided in February 2021 where more than 100 child exploitation videos and images were found.

Kinney’s defence barrister, Dan Boddice, said his client was a young first-time offender who had considerable remorse for his actions. Mr Boddice said his client had autism which made it difficult to form appropriate relationships.

Judge Paul Smith adjourned the matter to Friday and remanded Kinney in custody.