When family feared their 13-year-old son was being groomed by an older man, police agreed to follow the pair.
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But they lost sight of the boy as 31-year-old Mark Clorion led him into his home.
Clorion pleaded guilty to grooming and sexually abusing the boy he had met on Grindr in late November 2022.
The boy had claimed initially to being 21 but within a few short messages he told Clorion he was 14.
Clorion, a registered nurse, still engaged in sexual conversation and pressed to meet the boy on his day off.
The boy questioned Clorion to make sure he wasn't going to kidnap him.
"I don't want to raise a child," Clorion replied, before a reference to a US serial killer and sex offender.
"I'm not Jeffrey Dahmer."
They agreed to meet on December 1 and the boy caught a bus from his rural Victorian hometown into a regional city.
He had confided his plans in a friend, who alerted the boy's family and police were called.
They were waiting at a bus stop when the boy arrived and they watched him meet Clorion and walk away together.
Through the afternoon Clorion abused the boy multiple times.
The teen told the court he was uncomfortable and wanted to leave but felt frozen.
After several hours he left and met up with his sister, and they were approached by police.
Clorion's home was identified and he was arrested that evening.
He confessed when questioned by police.
His barrister said Clorion originally thought they would just meet up at first, but he fell into temptation pretty quickly.
The boy said he felt shameful and dirty after leaving Clorion's home.
He said he felt like he was in a microscope and everyone knew what had happened to him.
His father broke down and left court while reading about his fears for his son's future, and knowing the fight and the scars he would endure for the rest of his life.
Clorion, from the Philippines, is likely to be deported after serving a prison sentence.
He was supported in court by his aunt and three cousins.
The registered nurse has not worked since the offending.
County Court Judge James Parrish will hand down his sentence at a later date.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
Australian Associated Press
