A MAN who maintained an unlawful sexual relationship with a juvenile he met through his drug-dealer has pleaded guilty to all charges.
Michael Aiden Koch, 27, appeared in Mount Gambier District Court last month to answer multiple sex-related offences and will be sentenced later this year.
The court heard in 2018 between October 31 and November 27 in Bordertown, Koch maintained an unlawful sexual relationship with a female under the age of 17.
Koch pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual intercourse, kissing of lips and touching of breasts – all occurring on more than one occasion – and producing child exploitation material.
The court heard the defendant had been in custody since his arrest in 2019.
The defendant’s lawyer said his client was born in the South East and was one of four brothers raised on a farm outside of Bordertown.
In 2010, Koch’s parents separated and the defendant lived with his mother shortly after.
Koch has had considerable support from his brothers and family since the separation.
Counsel said Koch was introduced to cannabis as a teenager and gradually developed a methamphetamine problem.
“The victim and Koch met through their methamphetamine dealer which is how they became social,” he said.
The court heard the child exploitative material the defendant was charged for included photographs of the complainant and Koch during sexual endeavours.
“The images were taken with his phone,” the defence counsel said.
“He knows it is wrong, drugs were involved and he made poor judgement with the complainant willing to be involved.
“He apologises for his actions and other harm he may have caused.”
The court considered the findings of Koch’s psychological reoports.
“Reports revealed the diagnosis relates to social awkwardness rather than sexual deviance,” defence counsel said.
The court heard Koch had related history, including an offence of maintaining a sexual relationship with a child under the age of 14, which occurred in 2013 when the defendant was almost 20 and the victim was aged 12.
The defendant served two years in prison for that crime.
In relation to the current offending, defence counsel said Koch accepted his responsibility and added there was an underlying drug issue at the time.
“That problem is now under control and he will not be involved in an offending of similar nature again.”
Prosecutors said Koch’s charges had a maximum of life imprisonment.
A forfeiture of the defendant’s mobile phone was also ordered.
“The only suitable sentence for the offence is a term of imprisonment,” prosecution said.
Judge Rauf Soulio said while there was an age difference between the defendant and the complainant, the relationship was consensual.
“Taking into consideration the age gap, you would be well aware of the victim’s vulnerability,” he said.
“There is considerable lack of awareness that engaging with younger females is inappropriate.”
Judge Soulio reserved the defendant’s sentence decision until June 22.
