Adelaide man jailed for using Grindr to lure boy out of child protection and sexually abuse him

A 16-year-old Adelaide boy in state care, who was lured by an older man online and then sexually abused, has been left “embarrassed” and is “no longer able to trust people”, a court has heard.

Richard Ian Squires, 39, appeared in South Australia’s District Court today via video link, after pleading guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and failing to comply with a bail agreement.

Judge Adam Kimber told the court Squires ordered a ride-share vehicle to bring the teenager to his house in January, after connecting with him on the social media app Grindr at the end of last year.

“You knew the victim was 16 years of age before any sexual activity. You also knew the victim was under some form of guardianship and care,” Judge Kimber said.

The court heard Squires was then “knowingly part of the deception of those looking after [his victim]”.

“You were heard telling the victim to lie about who you were, and to say that the victim had met you at school. You encouraged the victim not to meet with his social worker,” Judge Kimber said.

“The police later attended to conduct a welfare check on the victim who spoke to the police and told them that he was merely visiting a friend but that he would head home … Instead, he returned to your home, he returned to you, and you kissed him … and then had sexual intercourse.”

Victim encouraged to lie

The court also heard Squires told his victim that he was not permitted to be around minors, “as a consequence of [his] bail conditions”.

“You sought the victim out and encouraged him to lie so that you could offend,” Judge Kimber said.

In sentencing, Judge Kimber said it should have been obvious to Squires that the boy, who has been in care since August 2020, was “particularly vulnerable”.

“Since your offending, he no longer trusts people the way he once did,” he said.

“He has experienced sadness and a sense of fear, and is embarrassed about what occurred … It is likely that the impact upon your victim may be worse than for other victims his age, because of his particular vulnerabilities.”

Squires was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, with a non-parole period of two years and eight months.