A former police officer's remorse, mental issues and public humiliation after being caught asking two teen girls for explicit material on Snapchat have kept him out of jail.
Nicholas Filmer, 26, was a constable with the NSW Police Force when he "sexted" two 15-year-old victims from November 2022 to April 2023, telling them he would pay them for nude photos or videos.
He groomed one of the girls for six months, complimenting her appearance, complaining when she did not reply to his messages and sending her a total of $1460 over six days.
After being told she "owed him" for the money, the girl sent two photos of her bra and breast, as well as a 10-second video clip of her genitals under a white bedsheet.
He made no attempt to hide his crimes, using his name for his Snapchat profile and sending money directly from his Police Bank account.
In sentencing Filmer on Thursday, Judge Andrew Scotting said the victim felt pressured to send the explicit material due to the persistent chats and the police officer's claims he would expose her to her friends and family.
The 26-year-old also texted a 15-year-old friend of the first victim who told him she wanted money for a phone as her birthday was coming up.
In April 2023, he transferred this girl $900 after she sent him four explicit images she had downloaded from the internet.
She blocked him days afterwards.
"My life is over," Filmer said after he was arrested at his workplace Burwood Police Station in June 2023.
He resigned from the force in December and gained employment as a general hand at a chicken farm in March.
At Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Thursday, Judge Scotting convicted the ex-constable and handed him a two-year suspended sentence, meaning he will not spend any time in prison.
The judge said Filmer's crimes were isolated occurrences at the low end of seriousness, finding he had displayed genuine remorse for his actions.
The 26-year-old's erectile dysfunction was a catalyst to his other mental conditions like depression that affected his behaviour, the court was told.
Unable to maintain a long-term relationship and plagued by feelings of inadequacy due to his sexual performance issues, the 26-year-old resorted to fantasy sessions online, Judge Scotting said.
The court was told Filmer texted a large number of mostly adult women through Snapchat, spending thousands of dollars asking for explicit material.
Psychologists said there was no evidence he was sexually attracted to children.
Filmer had lost his employment as a result of the offending and experienced public humiliation as the matter went through the court, Judge Scotting said.
In handing down his sentence, the judge acknowledged the effect this type of behaviour had on the two girls.
"This case is a good example of the psychological impact that these types of offences can have on young victims," he said.
Instead of two years in jail, Filmer will be required to pay $1000 and be of good behaviour for three years.
During this time, he will remain under the supervision of community corrections officers and undergo any mental health treatment deemed necessary.
He will not be allowed to leave NSW or Australia without permission.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
