A Launceston man who sent explicit videos and messages to a teenage girl will serve his sentence at home after being found guilty of child exploitation offences.
Christopher Oakenfall, 28, was convicted by jury of attempting to involve a young person in the production of child exploitation material and grooming with intent to expose a young person to indecent material.
The Supreme Court heard Oakenfall targeted the girl through Snapchat in early 2023, just before and after her 14th birthday.
He sent her sexually explicit messages and a video of himself engaged in a sexual act, then asked her to send images of her breasts and “something sexy in your school uniform”.
Oakenfall knew the victim through a local sporting club where both were members.
Justice Robert Pearce rejected the man’s claim the messages were innocent banter, noting he had already sent the girl an “overtly sexual” comment about her pyjamas.
“Those who choose to engage in such communications must understand that apprehension will result in stern punishment,” Justice Pearce said.
The court heard Oakenfall showed no remorse and still does not accept responsibility for his actions.
A pre-sentence report found he still does not understand the seriousness of his offending.
The victim told the court her ability to trust others had been damaged and she had undergone counselling for depression.
Justice Pearce said the relatively brief period of offending and the fact the girl never produced the requested images were factors in sentencing.
He imposed a six-month home detention order, confining Oakenfall to his mother’s home except between midday and 4pm daily.
A 12-month community correction order will follow, requiring supervision, counselling and drug testing.
Oakenfall was also placed on the offender register for two years.
“… The protection of children is the paramount factor,” Justice Pearce said.
He warned Oakenfall that breaching the order would likely result in imprisonment.
