A “deeply mentally troubled'' former police officer has admitted showering compliments on a 15-year-old girl, sending her money in exchange for nude photos and having sex with her.
Nicholas Filmer was charged Friday with using a carriage service to engage in sexual activity with a person under the age of 16, using a carriage service to solicit material of child sexual abuse, and transmitting material of child abuse. He appeared in the New South Wales District Court after pleading guilty to two charges of using a horse-drawn carriage service. To myself.
The court heard the 26-year-old contacted the 15-year-old girl on social media and continued to message her for six months with “constant attention and unwavering pursuit”.
Prosecutor Daniel New said the then-active police officer used a variety of strategies to discipline the girl, including complimenting her appearance and making complaints and payments if she didn't respond.
After paying a one-time payment of $979 from the police bank account, Filmer pressured the 15-year-old boy into taking nude photos and told him: “You owe me.”
New said the victim was “reluctant and tried to stop him” – even blocking him on social media – but Filmer persisted.
The court heard he sent naked photos and videos of a 15-year-old girl, as well as nude images of another minor downloaded from the internet.
A second victim also received payment from the filmer in exchange for explicit images.
Ms New highlighted the “serious and far-reaching impact this crime has had on these girls” and praised the courage of the victims.
“What was normally done in a casual and discreet manner online is now, in the words of the 15-year-old victim, 'contaminated,'” she said.
“It affects the innocence they should enjoy when using social media.”
Prosecutors argued that Filmer had a “high moral responsibility” because he was an active police officer who knew his actions were illegal at the time.
“Police officers are tasked with upholding the law. They are seen as pillars of moral responsibility to serve their communities,” she said.
Ms New acknowledged that Mr Filmer had “mental health issues surrounding his sexuality” which led to his “promiscuous sexting”, but that he was unable to understand the “illegality” of his actions. He said there was no indication that it had not happened.
But Filmer's lawyer, Margaret Cunneen SC, argued that the child abuse charges were “far from the most serious possible”.
She said the crimes were “very low-level” and involved little sophistry, as evidenced by Filmer using his full name and transferring the victim's money from a police bank account. .
Cunneen said her client was not a “depraved human being” but rather a man characterized by “mental deficiencies and extreme emotional immaturity.”
The court was told that a psychologist determined that Filmer was a “deeply psychologically troubled and immature young man” who suffered from a “fairly severe personality disorder”.
Experts concluded that he did not meet the criteria to be classified as a pedophile or lecher.
Mr Filmer apologized in a letter read to the court, saying his criminal conduct had been a “source of great shame” and there was “no excuse”.
“Words cannot express my remorse for my actions and my sadness at the harm caused by my actions,” the former constable wrote in court.
“While we can't repair the damage, I can only hope that these young women can move forward.”
He also thanked those involved who “stopped my actions and saved the girls from further suffering.”
Ms Cunneen insisted that Mr Filmer remain out of prison, saying his remorse showed he was “unlikely to repeat the act”.
Judge Andrew Scotting is expected to sentence Filmer next month.
The court heard the 26-year-old is not currently employed by the New South Wales Police Force.
