Former footy star Brandon Roberts has been jailed for more than two years after grooming a 12-year-old girl for sex.
The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to one count each of penile intercourse of a child under 16, using an electronic service to procure a child, and indecent treatment of a child under 16.
Roberts also pleaded guilty to contravening an order so he could access information.
In September 2024 he was charged with two counts of rape and one count of entering a dwelling at night. Those charges were dropped.
Beenleigh District Court heard that Roberts sent the girl a Snapchat friend request and asked for photos of her legs. She refused.
The former Central Queensland Capras and Ipswich Jets star then asked to meet the girl in person.
Brandon Roberts (pictured during his time with the Central Queensland Capras)
A Queensland court heard Roberts (pictured) first made contact with the girl through Snapchat
He called her in August 2024 and falsely told her he was 18 years old. She agreed to meet him at a park.
Roberts – who is due to become a father soon, according to News Corp – met the girl at her house in Logan, in Brisbane’s south, where he pinned her down on a bed and pulled down her pants and underwear, the court heard.
He then penetrated the girl without using a condom.
Police raided Roberts’ home in Rockhampton approximately two weeks after the attack and the court heard he provided 10 incorrect passwords to officers when they asked for access to his phone.
Judge Dzenita Balić sentenced Roberts to two years and six months in jail, suspended for three years after six months served.
Born in Canberra, Roberts debuted in the Queensland Rugby League’s Intrust Cup competition with the Capras in 2021.
He switched to the Brisbane-based Ipswich Jets in 2024, but is no longer with the club.
When he first joined the Capras, Roberts said playing for the club was a step on his journey to hopefully playing in the NRL, and revealed he spent four years in the military from the age of 17.
