Girl, 15, falsely accuses family friend, 24, of molesting her and sending her lewd photographs in a sick bid to get attention
- The girl, from Townsville, accused 24-year-old Joshua Whyte of molesting her
- She claimed he sent her lewd photos and had sex with her at his house
- But her claims were dismissed by a jury which found Whyte not guilty
A 15-year-old girl falsely accused a family friend of molesting her because she was looking for attention, a court was told.
The girl, from Townsville, accused 24-year-old Joshua Whyte of sending her lewd photos, molesting her, having sex with her and masturbating in front of her.
But her claims were dismissed by a jury which found Whyte not guilty on Wednesday, reported the Townsville Bulletin.
The girl, from Townsville, accused 24-year-old Joshua Whyte of sending her lewd photos, molesting her, having sex with her and masturbating in front of her (stock image)
Whyte’s defence barrister Kelly Stone said the girl was ‘troubled’ and looking for attention.
The jury was shown a video of the girl telling police what had allegedly happened before Whyte spoke in court and denied the claims.
He said the girl was a family friend and they had spent time together at the weekends while growing up.
On the day of the alleged abuse, February 10 last year, she contacted him after she had a fight with her mother, he said.
Whyte said he ordered her an Uber to his house and offered her advice after she revealed she had been smoking, drinking and skipping school.
The girl had a shower while he watched TV but nothing sexual occurred, he said.
Wyhte said he later got an Uber to Stockland shopping centre.
The jury acquitted him after just 30 minutes of deliberation.
The jury was shown a video of the girl telling police what had allegedly happened before Whyte spoke in court (pictured) and denied the claims