Bethany Edgecombe/Instagram/A Current AffairAn Instagram model admitted to grooming a 13-year-old boy online and flashed her breasts when confronted by a TV reporter.
Bethany Edgecombe, 20, is an Australian exotic dancer and model from the NSW Central Coast who racked up 105,000 followers on her since-deleted Instagram account, where she went by Blondie Australia.
Edgecombe was in central Melbourne this week when she was confronted by a TV crew from A Current Affair, who accused her of grooming the young boy.
Take a look at what happened when she was approached here:
The model initially laughed at the claims, but eventually admitted to sending the 13-year-old inappropriate messages.
The pair struck up a conversation after the teenager mentioned Blondie in an Instagram post. During the exchange, Edgecombe reportedly asked the boy if he was a virgin.
When he replied that he was, the model wrote:
I call dibs on that virginity.
A Current AffairIn another message, cited by A Current Affair, Edgecombe said:
Hold onto that virginity, I’ll be going past your part of town in a week or two. And don’t tell anyone, don’t think you’re even legal.
At one point, the teen told the Instagram user he was 13 and Edgecombe replied saying she ‘really must be a pedo cos that’s so hot’.
The 20-year-old also sent four naked photos to the teenager while he was at the cinema with his mum. She asked the boy for a naked photo; a request to which he responded with a photo of a rooster.
The teen’s parents reported the matter to Coomera Police on the Gold Coast in November, but they decided to take it to the media because they were disappointed with the lack of progression in the investigation.
A Current AffairWhen confronted by reporter Dan Nolan, Edgecombe attempted to defend herself by claiming she ‘was like 18’ when she sent the messages, though the reporter pointed out they were sent last year.
Edgecombe went on to claim she believed the interaction was ‘harmless’.
The Instagram user commented:
Did I ever see the boy though?… have I ever seen the boy or is it silly harmless chatting… well that’s how I see it.
When asked if she had anything to say to the boy’s family, Edgecombe lifted her top and flashed her breasts to camera.
A Current AffairThe 13-year-old told A Current Affair he thought the contact was ‘cool’ at first, but he later became concerned.
He said:
After a while though she started to act a bit crazy! She was pushy and acting a bit obsessed. She said she wanted to take my virginity, but it wasn’t fun anymore, she was acting weird and I’m not that dumb, I don’t date 20 year olds.
The teen’s mother spoke out about the exchange, describing Edgecombe as ‘sick’.
She commented:
She knew he was only 13 years old and she pursued him! What kind of a sick individual does that? How dare she try and manipulate any child with her evil perverted ways for her own self-gratification.
A Current AffairThe Queensland Police Service said the matter is still under investigation, explaining ‘these matters can take time to thoroughly investigate, particularly when a forensic examination is required’.
Detectives are said to be making ‘every effort’ to finalise the case as a priority.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 8am–10pm Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm weekends. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111.
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.