Jail for assault on teens

A NORTH Queensland motel manager who inappropriately touched four teenagers told one girl she gave him “vibes” that she was not a virgin, a court has heard.

A lifetime reporting obligation was not enough to stop 47-year-old Glenn Allan Jeffries from committing the offences against four teenagers in 2021.

Townsville District Court heard that Jeffries touched, made inappropriate comments to, or sent suggestive messages to the four girls over seven months.

At the time of the offences the girls were all aged around 15 years old. It was heard Jeffries (pictured) hit o r smacked several of the girls on the bottom, either with his hand or a wooden spoon. He told one girl she was a “beautiful princess” while hugging her from behind.

After following one girl at the motel he slapped her on the buttocks, and told her she was giving him “vibes” that she was not a virgin.

Jeffries later sent messages to the girl asking for her to send a photo of her in a bikini.

One evening, three of the girls were together when Jeffries slapped one of the girls on the bottom, who then tried to hit him in the groin.

The court was told Jeffries’ behaviour only stopped when one of the teens told her father.

Jeffries pleaded guilty to charges including 16 counts of failing to comply with reporting, five counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, and one count of attempted indecent treatment of a child under 16. Judge Jennifer Rosengren said there was a need to protect the community and young women from Jeffries.

“… And one wonders what might have happened if (it) had not come to the attention of authorities,” Judge Rosengren said.

Jeffries was made a reportable offender for life in 2016 for offending against two girls in Victoria.

One set of offending involved Jeffries – who had been 40 at the time – inducing a then 16-year-old girl to take part in sexual acts when she was not willing.

The girl was heard to have told Jeffries she could earn money by offering sex services, and that he had acted as her “security” while she worked, and he was given money.

Jeffries was also sentenced in Victoria after he was found messaging a 13-year-old girl on Facebook where he asked her about escort work and prices.

Defence barrister Ross Malcomson submitted there had been a “confusion” surrounding Jeffries’ obligations – a claim Judge Rosengren said was “unbelievable”.

“It’s unbelievable to think that he was mistaken about anything, and then uses it in the way that he has to further offend against girls of around the same age,” Judge Rosengren said.

It was also heard Jeffries failed to report his contact with the girls, his employment, a second mobile phone, and the creation of a Snapchat account.

Jeffries was sentenced to three years’ jail, with 324 days declared as time served.

An immediate parole eligibility date was set.