Ex-teacher's aide jailed over Snapchat messages sent to teens

Brandon Lee Anthony Chell, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to involve a person under 18 in the production of child exploitation material and two counts of grooming with intent to expose a young person to indecent material. The former teacher's aide had sent sexual images and videos to teenagers on social media. What's next: Chell was sentenced to 15 months in prison, backdated to June 12. He will not be eligible for parole until he has served half his sentence. A former Tasmanian teacher's aide, who used social media to send images of his genitals to teenagers, has been sentenced to 15 months' prison. WARNING: This story contains details of grooming and sexual offences committed against young people Brandon Lee Anthony Chell, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to involve a person under 18 in the production of child exploitation material and two counts of grooming with intent to expose a young person to indecent material. During sentencing today in the Launceston Supreme Court, Justice Robert Pearce said Chell had worked at a Launceston school in 2023, and "became friends" with three students on Snapchat. He said the then-25-year-old used the social media platform to share images and videos with one student, who was aged 15 when it started, exposing his genitals and masturbating. The court heard that the student received these messages for months, which became more sexually explicit as time went on. The court heard Chell would bring in food and drinks to school and later ask for sexual photographs from the teenager in return. The court heard Chell befriended two other teenagers on the social media platform, but they blocked him when his messages became sexual. Justice Pearce said there was a significant power imbalance between Chell and the students, and their victim impact statements showed they remained disturbed and preoccupied with the incidents. He sentenced Chell to 15 months in prison, backdated from June 12, saying he must serve at least half his sentence before being eligible for parole. He said Chell's name must also be put on a register for five years. Using 'a cocktail of drugs' Justice Pearce said concerns about Chell were raised when teachers became suspicious, and police later found explicit images on his phone. During a previous hearing on June 12, the court heard Chell was stood down by the Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People — while retaining full pay — in October 2023 while an investigation was carried out. His employment was terminated in 2024. Chell's defence lawyer, Grant Tucker, told the court his client's drug and alcohol use was "spiralling" at the time of the offending. "He was using alcohol and a cocktail of drugs … and had a laissez-faire attitude to what he was sharing," Mr Tucker said. He said Chell had since moved to Western Australia, where he had a full-time job, supported his family financially and had "re-established his life". "Mr Chell has spent significant time reflecting on his actions … [he has] ultimately accepted responsibility," Mr Tucker told the court. Lack of 'genuine remorse' Ahead of today's sentencing, Mr Tucker passed a letter from Chell to Justice Pearce and Crown prosecutor Nicola Wright. But Ms Wright said she did not believe Chell was expressing "genuine remorse" and said he did not appear to appreciate the seriousness of his actions. Justice Pearce said Chell's imprisonment would take a toll on his mother and family members, who he supported. But he said general deterrence and the protection of children were the key factors in his sentencing, saying he "could not be satisfied" that Chell did not present a further risk.