For sentencing under s 474.27(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), the offence is no less reprehensible where the offender communicates with a fictitious person believed to be real. General deterrence is of particular significance. A sentence of 2 years 9 months (before 25% guilty plea discount, yielding a head sentence of approximately 3 years 8 months) was within range for grooming communications over almost four months involving explicit sexual instruction of a person believed to be 12 years old, exposure to pornography, and repeated suggestions to meet for sex, notwithstanding the offender's good character, no prior record, and prospects of rehabilitation.
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