Shane Simpson: Mount Magnet man jailed for sending unsolicited pictures to cop posing as a 15-year-old girl

A Mount Magnet man who sent unsolicited explicit pictures to a police officer posing as a 15-year-old girl has been sentenced to 15 months behind bars. Shane David Simpson appeared in Geraldton District Court on Monday for sentence on one charge of using electronic communication to expose a child under 16 years to indecent matter. State prosecutor Gary Huggins said the then 33-year-old had been communicating with a police officer he believed was a 15-year-old girl over Facebook messenger. Simpson acknowledged the age of the “child” multiple times and told the officer he was 22. The court heard the man engaged in general conversation with the “child” before asking for pictures. Mr Huggins said Simpson first sent unsolicited pictures of himself lying in bed with his underwear on and later progressed to sending more explicit photos. Defence lawyer George Giudice outlined Simpson’s poor mental health, stating he experienced domestic violence and alcoholism during his “sad upbringing”. The court was told he has two girls with his partner, the oldest aged two-years-old and the youngest three months. Mr Huggins highlighted the fact the offence occurred while Simpson was on bail and stated he “poses a real risk to young females”. He outlined the man’s history, including 12 months imprisonment he received for lying on top of a 12-year-old girl in 2020. District Court Judge Michael Bowen sentenced Simpson to 15 months imprisonment and made an order for destruction of the mobile phone. He will be eligible for parole after serving seven-and-a-half months of his sentence.