An Adelaide man, who founded a network which promotes online safety, has apologised for possessing child exploitation material and exchanging nude pictures with teenagers online.
William Russell, 25, is a former Young South Australian of the Year finalist who set up the Teen Support Network in 2012.
Russell, who has an intellectual disability, has previously admitted to procuring a child for sexual activity and aggravated possessing child exploitation material.
Adelaide's District Court also heard that when he was 23, Russell encouraged a 15-year-old boy to exchange nude pictures with him on Snapchat.
Prosecutor Andrew Fowler-Walker also told the court Russell encouraged the boy to meet him in a park "to kiss and to hug".
In another incident, to which Russell has pleaded guilty, he used the Kik messaging app to chat with a different 15-year-old boy and encouraged him to exchange explicit photos.
The court heard Russell "drove the conversation" and knew the victims were only 15.
Mr Fowler-Walker said they were not alleging Russell had used his Teen Support Network to contact any of his victims.
"The prosecution does not suggest that he did not genuinely try to help youths dealing with bullying," Mr Fowler-Walker said.
"Indeed, he was nominated for Young South Australian of the Year for his work with youths in this respect.
"On the other hand, whilst helping youths, he was also knowingly exploiting two 15-year-old boys online, for his sexual gratification."
'I have hurt a lot of people'
The accused's lawyer Matthew Mead presented medical letters outlining the details of Russell's intellectual disability which arose from problems before his was born.
"It was a stroke or two strokes, in utero, and related to cognitive neuro impairment that resulted from that," Mr Mead said.
His lawyer also told the court Russell was "ashamed and embarrassed" about the offences, as he read out a written apology to the court.
"I have hurt a lot of people and I am extremely sorry," the statement said.
Russell will remain on bail until he is sentenced in November.
