Sex offender posed as TV casting agent on Bebo

A sex offender who posed as a casting agent for TV programmes on the social networking site Bebo and set up an “audition” for a 16-year-old boy whom he then sexually assaulted, has been jailed for 4½ years at Trim Circuit Court.

The court heard that Anthony Luckwill (40), Clondalkin, Dublin, had lived in Navan at the time of the offence on June 7th, 2011, and the teen had been brought to his home for the "audition" by his mother.

Luckwill had created what looked like a document from a fictitious casting agency which he sent the boy and which arranged a “casting” interview for him at Luckwill’s home, the court heard.

He also sent him sexually suggestive messages in relation to what might occur at auditions and said that it was common for casting agents to have sexual relations with potential actors.

Mother concerned
His mother had brought him to the "audition" and had become slightly concerned and took Luckwill aside. The court heard she told him that if anything inappropriate happened that she would kill Luckwill.

She left him with her son for the audition and afterwards he did not tell her what had happened.

In a victim impact report, he said he had been in considerable physical pain and what happened had a devastating effect.

“My dream was to pursue a career in drama . . . I met him online and felt he could help me with my dream . . . he shattered my dream.”

He said he was now a different person and and would continue to need counselling. He added that his mother “cannot get over her guilt”.

Luckwill pleaded guilty to defilement of a child under the age of 17. He was also sentenced yesterday for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy on in February 2011 which took place after he asked the boy’s mother if he had an interest in acting or modelling.

She left him with Luckwill for 30 minutes during which he made the boy undress and he assaulted him. He told the boy he was measuring him for a football strip.

Gardaí were notified by the mother. In a follow-up search of his apartment they seized his computer and saw the communication via Bebo with the 16-year-old.

Luckwill has a series of convictions for possession of child pornography in Ireland and in Wales. Last October he was jailed for five months by Guernsey Magistrates Court for incitement of a child to commit an act of gross indecency while on bail for the offences in Co Meath.

He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life in Britain, the court heard.

Consecutive sentences
In relation to the 16-year-old, Judge Michael O'Shea jailed him for 2½ years and for the offence involving the 13-year-old, he imposed a two-year term.

The sentences are to run consecutively and he has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The judge also directed two years post-release supervision.