Mark Kevin Swain: Former cop claims he was extorted after 14yo girl created Sugar Daddy Meet profile for money

A former Geraldton police officer is on trial accused of allegedly touching and asking a 14-year-old girl for sex — offering to pay her $400 — after meeting her on a “sugar daddy” app. The alleged victim has given evidence in the District Court trial of Mark Kevin Swain, 50, about what happened when she went to his home after setting up a profile on the dating app Sugar Daddy Meet. In a trial that started on Wednesday, Mr Swain is fighting allegations he twice indecently dealt with the 14-year-old girl and asked her for sex at his home in Wandina, instead claiming the teenage pair blackmailed him. The jury was told he met the girl on the dating app Sugar Daddy Meet, which is designed for older men to meet young women of age, inviting her over to his home on August 15, 2022. The 14-year-old attended his home with her best friend, also 14, whom she asked to bring for safety, with Mr Swain agreeing to pay for their taxi beforehand, jurors heard. In his opening remarks, state prosecutor Cameron Henderson said Mr Swain supplied the girls with alcohol before asking one to have sex with him after the other had gone to the bathroom. Mr Henderson said he moved closer to the girl and placed his hand on her right thigh, complimenting her looks. The court was told Mr Swain allegedly offered to pay the 14-year-old $400 for “nothing crazy, just like normal” sex, and held her hand while offering to pay for her nails to be done. Instead, the girls allegedly stole Mr Swain’s wallet and left his house, but returned because of the long wait for a taxi. Mr Henderson told the court Mr Swain took the 14-year-old into his bedroom and offered to take her friend home if she stayed the night. She eventually agreed and they were driven back to her friend’s house, where she made an excuse that she had to stay. When in the car, Mr Henderson said the accused reached back and placed his hand on the girl’s leg. The court was told Mr Swain denied offering money for sex and in his own words was not interested in “f...ing young girls”, and denied touching the girl, besides on the knee, which he says would have been brief. In the 14-year-old’s evidence, she told police she created an account on the app after watching a TikTok video explaining she could get paid by an older man. “We saw on TikTok you can get a sugar daddy and they will pay you to talk to them,” she said. “It was just someone saying you can get a sugar daddy and they will take you on holidays and pay you and stuff.” In her pre-recorded evidence, the 14-year-old admitted she was curious and motivated to join the app because of the money. The court was told Mr Swain met with the 14-year-old the following day and paid her $200 after being “extorted” because they threatened to tell his teenage son about his use of the app. The 14-year-old girl told the court a Medicare card from his stolen wallet contained the name of his son, who they knew from school. Both girls approached his son at school and told him “your dad’s a sugar daddy” but promised to keep it a secret, according to the 14-year-old in her evidence. When defence lawyer David McKenzie put to the alleged victim that Mr Swain had never touched her or asked for sex that night, she responded “that’s a lie”. The court heard Mr Swain received multiple messages, including “you wouldn’t want (your son) to know you’re a sugar daddy, would you?” and “if you don’t pay it we’ll tell (your son) that you like young girls”. The 14-year-old said she could not remember sending any threatening messages to Mr Swain, explaining her friend might have sent them but she had no recollection of the texts herself. However, she admitted to sending Mr Swain a message the following morning saying “you owe me some money for last night”. She said there was about $50 cash in the wallet “but I can’t really remember” and her 14-year-old friend thought it was a good idea to tell his son because they thought the situation was wrong. The jury was told Mr Swain received messages from the girl’s friend, including: “you’re only accusing me of stealing the wallet because I’m a woman of colour” and “don’t accuse me of taking your wallet you racist”. The trial continues.