Qld: Internet sex seeker jailed

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2004
Qld: Internet sex seeker jailed

BRISBANE, Aug 12 AAP - A man who had sex with young girls he met after contacting them
through internet chat rooms was jailed for 12 months in Brisbane today.

Anthony Bruce Jones, 31, was caught after being stung by a police officer posing as
a 14-year-old girl in an internet chat room.

Jones pleaded guilty in the District Court to 16 charges relating to sexual acts last
year with three girls aged 14, 15 and 16.

They included indecent treatment of girls under 16, unlawful carnal knowledge, procuring
sexual acts on the internet by coercion, unlawful sodomy, and attempted unlawful carnal
knowledge.

Judge Charles Brabazon sentenced Jones to jail terms ranging from six months to three
years, to be served concurrently and suspended after 12 months, conditional on Jones being
of good behaviour for four years.

Jones was arrested and charged by police on June 13 last year after arranging to meet
the officer.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Brabazon said the only thing in Jones' favour was
that he had shown remorse for the events which occurred after his marriage broke up, that
the girls had met him voluntarily, and no threats or alcohol were involved.

Outside the court, Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) acting director of crime operations,
Detective Chief Superintendent Felix Grayson, said the CMC began investigating Jones while
monitoring internet chat rooms as part of its campaign against the activities of paedophiles.

He said the CMC had arranged for the policewoman to pose as a 14-year-old girl in the
internet chat room.

Police later traced the other three girls after finding their details in Jones' computer.

Detective Grayson said parents needed to be constantly aware that internet chat rooms
were a "rich environment" for paedophiles.

"These people are in their homes talking to their kids," he said.

"Under no circumstances should they allow their children to meet anyone who has contacted
them on the internet."

AAP jfs/sc/cjh/jlw

KEYWORD: JONES

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