A 28-year-old serious sex offender banned from approaching anyone under 18, owning a device with internet capability or accessing social media has faced Darwin local court to plead guilty on two counts of ‘Engaging Conduct Contravening Order’.
Appearing from Holtze prison over an audio/video link, the prisoner was arrested on March 1st this year on other charges that will go before Justice Southwood in the NT Supreme Court on October 4th.
Today, ‘Night Mares’ was receiving his sentence for breaches of parole.
The crown prosecutor said one of the charges was a breach “by way of having forms of social media” and the second related to “a more serious matter”.
“He was not to approach children under the age of 18,” she told the court.
“He approached his neighbour and constantly asked them to come to the park with them and walk the dog, and made a complaint about the young person’s parents which was ultimately unsubstantiated by police.
“We would just submit that it’s concerning behavior in light of his history and the serious order he was under for his previous offences.”
Night Mares’ defence barrister said: “Your honour, the matter which is dated March 1st, the two counts..
“You will note from the facts that it was part of a sting operation by the police where he was contacted by a police officer, who purported to be a young person, and there was an interaction which ended [inaudible].
“That constitutes a separate commonwealth offence before the supreme court, to be dealt with on October 4th, but it contravenes [inaudible] act and orders he was on.”
During his sentencing in Darwin local court, the judge said that his: “index offending from 2015; he can’t be [inaudible] twice for those, but they do, along with this conduct, raise concerns in terms of his ongoing rehabilitation and supervision.”
Night Mares faced a maximum sentence of two-years imprisonment for his offending on February 11th with the neighbour’s child, and was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.
For his offending on March 1st, on the purchase and “use of social media” he was sentenced to six months imprisonment with three months cumulative.
The judge said: “That’s 12-months imprisonment. I backdate that to when he went into custody on March 3rd.
“Given what I’ve observed about his breaches of protective orders, and the ongoing nature of these breaches, I’m unable to suspend any part.
“His prospects of rehabilitation are better assessed by the parole board. I’ll fix a non-parole period of eight months.”
At the time of his arrest, Night Mares was found to be in possession of a Samsung mobile phone that was submitted for a forensic extraction, where Snapchat, Face Book Messenger, Discord, Talk Chat and Hangout was found on his phone.
It’s our understanding the man cannot be identified under NT laws.
We are The Groomer Inquirer.
