Salvation Army charity worker jailed after he had sex with underage girl who sought refuge at his homeless shelter
A Salvation Army support worker who had sex with a teenager in his homeless shelter will spend at least six months behind bars.
Friday Fredrick Jeremiah, 35, was sentenced in Sydney’s Downing Center District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old minor in his care.
The therapeutic youth worker, who emigrated from Nigeria in 2008, took advantage of the girl’s ‘vulnerability’ to get close to her and have sexual intercourse with her.
The court heard how Jeremiah had asked the girl ‘what she liked’ sexually, which made her feel ‘uncomfortable’.
The crime occurred when he took the victim from the shelter to a nearby park, where he grabbed her head and kissed her.
He then led her to a tree and pulled down her pants before performing sex acts. news.com.au reported.
A Salvation Army support worker who had sex with a teenager in his homeless shelter will spend at least six months behind bars
The court heard Jeremiah left and returned to the shelter, but told the girl to wait ten minutes before returning so as not to arouse suspicion.
The girl then messaged a friend to tell her what had happened.
The court heard Jeremiah continued to message the victim for months after she left the shelter, even sending her a photo of his genitals.
She Jeremiah later sent a message saying their relationship was inappropriate filed a complaint.
Judge Andrew Scotting said Jeremiah was ‘deceitful’ and ‘secretive’ about their relationship.
The court heard Jeremiah asked the girl to save his contact as ‘Uncle Chad’ and told her not to tell other workers about their friendship.
He also gave her “life advice” and emotional support while she was at the center.
The therapeutic youth worker, who emigrated from Nigeria in 2008, took advantage of the girl’s ‘vulnerability’ to get close to her and have sexual intercourse with her (stock image)
Judge Scotting noted the “significant age difference” and called Jeremiah’s behavior “a serious breach of trust.”
“The victim was a resident because she was vulnerable and the perpetrator took advantage of that vulnerability to get close to her and have sexual intercourse with her,” he said.
He said Jeremiah had a good work history and was an active volunteer, but said his good character had been “diminished to some extent.”
Jeremiah was sentenced to nine months in prison with a non-parole period of six months.
He will be eligible for parole on December 3.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Salvation Army for comment.
