Latest news with #LukeEdwardReynolds
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Australian man sentenced for attempting to lure 13-year-old boy with PlayStation for sex
Former boat skipper jailed for grooming 13-year-old boy Luke Edward Reynolds, 29, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to seven offenses, including indecent treatment of a child and using electronic communications to procure a minor. The crimes occurred in April, 2024 after Reynolds initiated sexually explicit conversations with the victim on Snapchat. Crown prosecutor Isabelle MacNicol stated Reynolds sent multiple photos of his erect penis and an animated image of two men having sex, asking the boy, "should we try this?" He also offered a PlayStation in exchange for sexual acts. Also read: Baseball prodigy Wander Franco found guilty of sexually abusing minor in Dominican Republic court Predatory behavior and failed meetup Reynolds arranged to meet the boy outside Cannon Hill's YMCA in Brisbane, bringing a cooler bag containing lubricant, condoms, and anal cream. The boy became nervous and left on his bike. His parents later discovered the messages and alerted authorities. Police took over the boy's account, leading Reynolds to schedule another meeting. Officers arrested him at the same location, finding the same cooler bag and explicit images of children on his phone. Judge denounces "vile" crimes in sentencing Judge Brad Farr called Reynolds' actions "demonstrably serious" and "vile," noting he knew the victim was under 16. "You placed your own sexual gratification to the forefront with little, if any, thought to the potential harm," Farr said. Defense barrister Patrick Wilson argued Reynolds was remorseful and sexually naive, citing a psychologist's report. Reynolds was sentenced to two years in prison, with six months served before probation.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- 7NEWS
Hayman Island skipper who ferried rich and famous jailed for child sex offences after offering a boy a PlayStation for sex
A former luxury resort skipper who once ferried wealthy tourists to Queensland's most exclusive island getaway has been sentenced to at least six months behind bars for child sex offences. Former Hayman Island Resort boat operator Luke Edward Reynolds, 29, pleaded guilty on Friday to multiple charges including grooming and attempting to meet a 13-year-old-boy he contacted through social media. Police arrested Reynolds when he travelled to meet what he believed was the 13-year-old boy at Cannon Hill in Brisbane's east. At the time of his arrest, the tour boat skipper on prestigious Hayman Island was running fishing and snorkelling charters for guests at the luxury resort. Court documents revealed Reynolds had been communicating with the teenager through Snapchat, engaging in sexualised conversations and allegedly offering the child a PlayStation gaming console in exchange for sex. The court heard Reynolds sent explicit images including photos of his genitals and an animated sex act, asking the boy 'should we try this?', crown prosecutor Isabelle MacNicol told the cour t. The offences came to light when the boy's father became suspicious of his son's online activities and contacted authorities. The court heard Reynolds sent explicit images during their conversations and made arrangements to meet the boy. When officers searched Reynolds' vehicle at the meeting location, they found lubricant and condoms. The defendant was in possession of a Working with Children Blue Card at that time. Reynolds was sentenced to two years' jail but will be released on probation after serving a minimum of six months behind bars. Hayman Island Resort, located in the Whitsundays, is one of Australia's most expensive holiday destinations, regularly hosting celebrities and high-profile guests.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Man tried offering a PlayStation to lure child for sex
A former boat skipper has been jailed for trying to meet up with a 13-year-old boy to have sex after offering him a PlayStation device in exchange. Luke Edward Reynolds, 29, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Friday to seven offences relating to the indecent treatment and use of electronic communications to procure a child under 16. Reynolds started speaking to a 13-year-old boy on an online chat platform before moving to Snapchat to have 'exclusively sexually explicit' conversations in April 2024. He sent multiple photos of his erect penis to the child and an animated image of two men having sex asking the boy 'should we try this?', crown prosecutor Isabelle MacNicol told the court. He offered the boy a PlayStation device in exchange for sex. Reynolds discussed with the boy to meet in person to have sex and whether other males could join in. He also sent the boy a photo of a blue cooler bag that contained lubricant, condoms and anal cream. Reynolds arranged to meet with the boy outside Cannon Hill's YMCA in Brisbane's south and brought the cooler bag to the meeting.
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
Man tried offering a PlayStation to lure child for sex
A former boat skipper has been jailed for trying to meet up with a 13-year-old boy to have sex after offering him a PlayStation device in exchange. Luke Edward Reynolds, 29, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Friday to seven offences relating to the indecent treatment and use of electronic communications to procure a child under 16. Reynolds started speaking to a 13-year-old boy on an online chat platform before moving to Snapchat to have 'exclusively sexually explicit' conversations in April 2024. He sent multiple photos of his erect penis to the child and an animated image of two men having sex asking the boy 'should we try this?', crown prosecutor Isabelle MacNicol told the court. He offered the boy a PlayStation device in exchange for sex. Reynolds discussed with the boy to meet in person to have sex and whether other males could join in. He also sent the boy a photo of a blue cooler bag that contained lubricant, condoms and anal cream. Reynolds arranged to meet with the boy outside Cannon Hill's YMCA in Brisbane's south and brought the cooler bag to the meeting.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Dad's suspicion foils child sex plot
A young resort worker is behind bars after attempting to meet up with a young boy for sex which was only uncovered after the boy's father became suspicious. Luke Edward Reynolds, 29, was sentenced in the Brisbane District Court on Friday after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences, including grooming and attempting to meet a 13-year-old boy. The former tour boat worker, who appeared in court wearing jeans, a jacket, and glasses, pleaded guilty to two counts of using electronic communication to procure a child under 16, three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 (expose), one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16, and one count of possessing child exploitation material. Luke Edward Reynolds, 29, was sentenced in the Brisbane District Court on Friday after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences, including grooming and attempting to meet a 13-year-old boy. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia The court was told that Reynolds, communicated with the 13-year-old initially through an online chat room before moving their conversations to Snapchat, where the exchanges became sexual in nature. Both exchanged nude photos with each other. The Crown Prosecutor said Reynolds' acts were 'persistent, predatory and premeditated', noting the 'significant age gap' between him and the boy. He said the conversations were 'heavily sexual in nature,' and Reynolds would also send the boy pictures found online. On one occasion, Reynolds sent a photo of a cooler bag containing two bottles of lubricant and condoms. The court was told Reynolds first arranged to meet the boy at Cannon Hill, but the boy became nervous and left on his pushbike without going through with it. Reynolds messaged the boy again later that day to arrange another meeting and continued to send explicit messages. The court was told that Reynolds, communicated with the 13-year-old initially through an online chat room before moving their conversations to Snapchat, where the exchanges became sexual in nature. Both exchanged nude photos with each other. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia When the boy returned home, his father became suspicious and demanded to check his phone. After discovering the messages, he immediately contacted police. Officers took over the boy's account and continued the conversation with Reynolds, who sent nude images and arranged another meeting. During the second planned meet-up, police moved in and arrested him. At the time of his arrest, he had lubricant and condoms and a towel in a cooler bag. Police also found two images of naked children on his phone. The judge noted that Reynolds 'at all times ... believed [the boy] was under 16'. Reynolds' barrister told the court his client was remorseful and had suffered significant consequences as a result of the offending. He noted the case had attracted widespread media attention and said Reynolds lost his job at a resort following his arrest, effectively being 'driven out of that industry.' Since then, he had struggled to find new employment. When the boy returned home, his father became suspicious and demanded to check his phone. After discovering the messages, he immediately contacted police. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia The court was also told Reynolds' mental health had 'plummeted' since the incident. A psychological report described him as 'sexually naïve' and suffering from depression. It also revealed he had a lonely upbringing, was 'a bit of a loner,' and had never been in a relationship or had any previous sexual experiences. The report stated he did not fit the criteria for someone with paedophilia. While Reynolds initially had the support of his family, the court was told his father had 'severed all contact' after learning of the offending. The defence submitted that Reynolds had 'good prospects' of rehabilitation, pointing to his minimal criminal history, willingness to seek help, and completion of relevant courses since his arrest. However, Judge Brad Farr SC described Reynolds' actions as 'demonstrably serious' and 'abhorrent' to society. Judge Farr noted that although the boy initially said he was 14, Reynolds told him he looked younger than 13 when they met. Reynolds was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, suspended after six months, followed by a probation period with strict conditions, including a special order for psychiatric treatment. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia The judge described Reynolds' actions as 'quite calculated' and highlighted his persistence, even after the boy became frightened following the first attempted meeting. While accepting Reynolds' remorse as genuine, the judge also considered his early guilty plea and lack of relevant criminal history. He sentenced Reynolds to two years' imprisonment, suspended after six months, followed by a probation period with strict conditions, including a special order for psychiatric treatment. Reynolds was taken into custody immediately after sentencing.
