Man jailed after grooming family’s babysitter for sex

A 43-year-old father who groomed a 15-year-old babysitter for sex was stopped when his wife intercepted text messages between them, a court heard.

‘‘In my view the only appropriate sentence is for you to be imprisoned,’’ Judge Garry Barkle told Raymond Lee Bird when he appeared in Hawera District Court yesterday for sentence on two charges.

Bird had earlier admitted one charge of meeting a young person to arrange for sex and another of indecent assault of a young person aged 12-16.

The judge said Bird’s offending was a significant beach of trust.

‘‘You knew her and the family for three or four years. Her parents trusted you to have their daughter in your home and for her to be safe. That trust was misplaced.’’

She was especially vulnerable because of her age, the judge said.

‘‘She was 15, you were 43, that is a significant age discrepancy. You could have brought this evolving relationship to a conclusion, you were the the adult and you should have done that.’’

The second charge was a representative charge for three distinct incidents that occurred between November 1 2015 and January 18, 2016.

The offending occurred when the victim stayed overnight at Bird’s home after she had babysat the couple’s two children.

The victim came to consider Bird as a counsellor, Judge Barkle said.

‘‘You talked to her about school, her relationships with her friends and you were regarded by her as a counsellor of a type.

‘‘You told her she was not to tell anyone else about these discussions as you believed you would get into trouble.

‘‘You communicated by text message as well and at times the victim confided she was having feelings for you and you reciprocated.’’

On two separate occasions Bird touched the victim on her stomach area, on one occasion under her clothing.

The third incident was another evening when the victim was lying on the couch resting her head on Bird’s thigh and she fell asleep.

‘‘You moved to a position of kneeling on the ground and leaned over her and gave her a peck on the lips. She said that kiss felt weird,’’ the judge said.

‘‘Following the occurrence you had a discussion and agreed the opportunities should be reduced for contact between you by the victim not staying at your address.’’

However, in mid-January in a series of text messages between Bird and the victim, there was a discussion about having sex with each other and whether the time was right for the relationship to move to that level.

In an impact statement, the victim said she suffered depression, anxiety and panic attacks as a result of the emotional harm.

‘‘It is apparent that you have caused her significant harm. She looks forward to this case being resolved so she can focus on being healthy. ’’

Bird’s counsel,Kylie Pascoe said Bird was deeply remorseful about the offending and acknowledged it was inappropriate and a breach of trust.

His wife and family had been devastated by the offending but his wife remained supportive and was in court for the hearing.

Pascoe urged the judge to consider a rehabilitative sentence rather than the imprisonment sought by the Crown.

‘‘Your conduct is aggravated by the length of time over which it occurred and the various stages it progressed to,’’ Judge Barkle told Bird.

He sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment on the grooming charge and 12 months on the indecent assault, to be served concurrently.

Bird’s name would also be added to the national sex offender register for eight years.