ALECOMM

VIKRAM Gopinath was working as a Senior Constable at Mildura Police Station when he met and began sending explicit messages to a 16-year-old girl who was in state care.

Gopinath, 29, was charged with misconduct in a public office and attempting to procure a child aged 16 or 17 under his care for sexual penetration in January, and this week entered a guilty plea at Melbourne’s County Court.

Fairfax yesterday reported the accused met the victim while on duty, when she walked into the Mildura Police Station and asked for a ride home, which he agreed to.

The pair then struck up a conversation via Facebook and the victim began divulging information about her personal problems, the court was told.

The exchanges turned into that of a sexual nature with The Age reporting Gopinath sent the teenager explicit messages and provocative selfies where he was wearing in police uniform.

Police said the accused had met up with the teen twice when he picked her up from near her residential care unit, and hugged and kissed her at a local park during one of the meetings, Fairfax reported.

The court was told the teenager eventually threatened to show Gopinath’s Mildura police colleagues the selfies he had sent her and she ended up reporting him to local police.

Gopinath admitted he was aware of her age but said there was not anything sexual between them, the court heard.

He did however claim the victim had been harassing him and his girlfriend after he lost his phone.

Gopinath has no prior convictions, with his defence counsel telling the court he was of previous good character and as a result of the case was currently suspended without pay and would lose his job.

The accused’s bail was  extended, he will re-appear before the County Court in January for sentencing.

This story appeared in Friday's Sunraysia Daily 14/12/2018. To subscribe to our Digital Edition Click here

Source : https://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/story/5810958/cop-in-court-over-child-grooming/