Internet child sex predator convicted

A Supreme Court judge in Brisbane has jailed a New Zealand man for using the internet to procure a child for sex.

But he will be released immediately because of time already served.

Prosecutor Anthony Gett told the court 30-year-old Shaun Kenneth Bannan contacted a police officer who was posing as a 12-year-old girl on an internet chat service in 2006.

During their conversations Bannan gave instructions on how to perform a sex act, talked about having sex and suggested he could travel to Brisbane or she could go to New Zealand.

The court heard Bannan made no further contact after October 2006.

He flew to Brisbane in January this year for a job as a security guard on a P&O cruise ship and was arrested at the International Airport.

Justice Anthe Philippides jailed Bannan for two-and-a-half-years but ordered his immediate release because of time already served.