Stock image.
Camera IconStock image. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Perth: Man caught in undercover sting now a registered sex offender

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

A MAN who engaged in “highly sexualised grooming” of a child had no idea the “child” was actually a police officer, it was revealed in Perth District Court last Friday (February 1).

Mandeep Singh Thind, who was supported in court by his wife, was sentenced to prison and registered as a sex offender after pleading guilty to 16 charges of using electronic communication to expose a child under 16 years to indecent matter.

Judge Simon Stone told Thind’s lawyer that his client was “a real risk to children”.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Magistrate Stone said Thind persistently tried to meet up with the child and knew what he was doing wrong.

“He messaged ‘delete it – keep it secret’,” Magistrate Stone said.

“He knew all the way through.”

Thind communicated with the police officer he thought was a child via texts, the internet and webcam.

He sent sexually explicit images and wanted to meet in Mindarie at Hungry Jacks or an aunt’s place.

“The grooming escalated in seriousness,” Magistrate Stone said.

“(Thind) offered items in return for sexual favours (such as) – a kiss in return for food.”

Thind’s lawyer said his client faced hardship as he was in the country on a student visa from India and had spent a large amount of money on study.

“Yes, so?” Magistrate Stone said.

Thind received an immediate prison term.

Magistrate Stone pointed out that there was a 14 year age difference between Thind and the person he believed was a 13-year-old.

“There is no victim impact statement as there is technically no victim,” he said.

“You were aware your behaviour was wrong as you requested to delete the conversation and images.

“This indicates a real risk of offending against real children.

“Adults that make use of the internet to lure children can expect to receive a prison sentence.

“It is paramount to public protection.”

Judge Stone sentenced him to a year in prison for each count to run concurrently.

He was made eligible for parole and a destruction order was issued for his phone which he used to send the indecent matter.