18.8 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Casino man who allegedly groomed 15 year-old online for sex remains free on bail

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Mullum and Byron locals lock on at Ewingar State Forest

Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging. 

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's official, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Lismore Labor MP called out over native forest logging

More than five hundred people marched in the rain through Lismore to the local state member’s office in protest against government sanctioned native forest logging on Sunday.

A Casino father who allegedly set up a Facebook account to groom a 15 year-old girl for sex is required to enter a plea when he returns to court next month.

Jacob Lee Benn was charged in June after the girl complained to police and an investigation was launched by the State Crime Command’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit.

The 30 year-old father of two, who allegedly communicated with the teenger from his marital home, was charged with soliciting child pronography, grooming a teenager online for sexual activity and sending indecent material online.

Police allege between November 20, 2016, and the day before his arrest, June 14, Mr Benn sent various message via Facebook messenger to the 15-year-old girl with the intention of having sex with her.

During their communications, it is alleged Mr Benn told the girl not to reveal his identity and to keep their communications a secret.

‘The sender did this with the intention of making it easier to procure the recipient to engage in sexual activity with the sender,’ court documents stated.

‘The accused continued to progress this offence over a prolonged period and he instigated the use of a false profile on the social media site to perpetrate this offence.

‘He also asked the victim to delete and cover the use of this profile.’

The brief of evidence against Mr Benn has been completed by police but he is yet to enter a plea to the allegations.

This week, Magistrate David Heilpern adjourned Mr Benn’s matters until December 11, for a plea to be entered and he be committed for trial or sentence, depending on his plea.

Mr Benn remains free on conditional bail until his next court appearance.

Conditions of his bail include not to contact the victim by any means, not to go to the victims school, not to access any form of social media and not to contact any person under 16 unless they are immediate family.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.