Boyanup man avoids jail over sending explicit ‘selfie’ to teenage girl while drunk

A young Boyanup man has been warned not to send explicit pictures of himself to girls under the age of 18 after avoiding jail for sending one to a 14-year-old girl. Lachlan James Ross, 20, was sentenced to take part in a 12-month intensive supervision order that included program requirements and community service after he was recently convicted by Bunbury District Court. Ross previously pleaded guilty to using electronic communication to expose a person under the age of 16 years to indecent matter. During the initial hearing last fortnight, the court was told Ross was sending photos to a 14-year-old girl, who he had met several days before the offending, via Snapchat last year when he sent her the explicit picture. He also sent the girl a further message asking the girl a sexually suggestive question. It is understood the girl took a screen recording of the exchange and showed it to police, leading to Ross’ arrest in May last year. In a police interview, Ross said he could not recall sending pictures to the girl that evening. In submissions, Ross’ defence counsel Paul Chapman told the court his client had been drinking at the time of offending and said his client would not have sent an explicit photo to the girl if he were sober. It was also submitted that Ross, who lives with intellectual impairments, had since significantly reduced his alcohol intake as well as cannabis, though it was not a direct factor in the offending. In sentencing, District Court Judge Christian Miocevich said that despite the messages being sent on the same day, there was a level of persistence with multiple messages sent. Judge Miocevich also acknowledged that Ross co-operated with police during the interview. “Although you did not make full and frank admissions and deny sending the photo, you did not deny the allegations and you actually gave police access to your phone,” he said. “I am giving you a chance. “If you don’t take that chance, you might not be so lucky next time.”