Online risks shown in Facebook teen sex case

An internet safety group is warning about the dangers of social networking sites after a Whangarei man was sentenced for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl he befriended through Facebook.

Daamon Choudhary, 24, appeared in the Whangarei District Court for sentencing last week after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual connection with a girl aged under 16.

Judge Jan Doogue sentenced Choudhary to four months' community detention, with a curfew from 8pm to 6am, and 150 hours' community work after rejecting a submission from his lawyer, Meg Scally, that he be discharged without conviction.

Martin Cocker, executive director for internet safety group Netsafe, said the case highlighted the need for parents to discuss internet safety issues with their children.

Mr Cocker said it was difficult for parents to keep track of what teenagers were doing on the internet as many teens had far more knowledge about it than their parents.

"The answer is not to try to closely monitor or control their access, and you won't be able to stop teens using technology as they live in the technology age," he said.

"Parents need to have ... conversations with their children about the potential dangers of their activities (on the internet and social networking sites) as it reduces the chances that they will take risks."

Mr Cocker said the internet was seen as a safe haven for paedophiles and it was one of the most difficult areas for police to work in to track down such offenders.

In sentencing Choudhary, Judge Doogue said he had told the girl he befriended on Facebook he was 21, when he was 23 at the time.

She said despite the girl's parents finding out he was pursuing the girl, and warning him off, Choudhary continued his pursuit and their relationship turned sexual.

Judge Doogue said it was a serious offence punishable by up to 10 years' jail, and aggravated by the age difference and that Choudhary continued his pursuit even after being warned off.

"That [10-year penalty] is a very salient matter to take into account when your counsel advances that I should entertain the application for discharge without conviction," she said.

That sentence would not be appropriate to denounce Choudhary's actions or deter others from similar, and the judge was surprised the application was even made.

Judge Doogue said the risk to Choudhary's immigration status from a conviction was not something the court could take into account. It was in the public interest for his potential employers to know of the offence, especially if they might be employing young women.

She said Choudhary's probation report said he posed little risk of further offending, but he was also unable to recognise the objectionable nature of the offending or its consequences.