Man admits using Facebook to lure girls

A 22-year-old West Auckland man has been sent to prison for courting young girls on Facebook and engaging in sexual acts with them. James McIntosh pleaded guilty to eight charges of unlawful sexual connection with a young person and two charges of engaging in indecent acts with a young person. He was sentenced to two years and three months in prison. McIntosh’s victims were aged between 12 and 15, and the sexual acts included oral sex and sexual intercourse. McIntosh met the girls either via Facebook or at parties, after which he would use Facebook or text messages to arrange meetings with them. He then took them back to his caravan in Titirangi where he engaged in sexual acts. Waitakere District Court judge Lisa Tremewan did not impose the maximum sentence of 10 years for each sexual connection charge and seven years for each indecent act charge. She reasoned that a psychiatrist had found McIntosh had developmental and psychological issues which meant he was more immature and naive than other 22-year-olds. Judge Tremewan said the case was a warning to families about the risks of young people using Facebook.