CHILD ‘PROTECTOR’ GROOMED TEENS
AN “anti-bully crusader” nominated for Young South Australian of the Year has apologised in court for grooming teenagers online and possessing child pornography.
William Russell, 25, set up the Teen Support Network, which promotes online safety for young people, in 2012.
But the District Court in Adelaide heard yesterday Russell never used the network to help children stay safe online, instead exploiting two 15-yearold boys on the Kik and Snapchat messaging apps.
Prosecutor Andrew FowlerWalker said Russell exchanged nude photos with the boys and arranged meetings in order “to kiss and hug”, but the plans never eventuated. He has also admitted possessing 51 child pornography images.
Police began investigating Russell after an article promoting the Teen Support Network was published in 2017.
“He was not honest in that article when he said that he used the Teen Support Network to warn young children of the threat of online sexual predators,” Mr Fowler-walker said.
Matthew Mead, for Russell, said his client was left with an intellectual disability after he suffered two strokes in utero, and was described by a forensic psychologist as a “naive and immature young man”.
Mr Mead said his client was “most ashamed and embarrassed” about his crimes, before he read out a letter of apology to the court.
Chief Judge Michael Evans continued Russell’s bail ahead of sentencing in November.