A 65-year-old former foster carer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the persistent sexual abuse of two girls who were placed in his care.
The man, identified only as RGM, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of Tasmania to two counts of persistent sexual abuse of a child.
The offences occurred between 2013 and 2017, when the girls were living with him as foster children.
The first victim, who was 16 at the time, was indecently assaulted on five separate occasions.
The second victim suffered four years of abuse, beginning when she was just nine and continuing until she turned 13.
Justice Stephen Estcourt said the abuse of the younger girl became more frequent as she got older, sometimes happening every second or third day by the time she was 13.
RGM was arrested in November 2022 and has been in custody ever since, never applying for bail.
He initially denied the allegations when interviewed by police, before later making partial admissions.
Both victims provided impact statements to the court, describing the lasting effects of the abuse.
The first victim said her life “changed completely” after the assaults.
“It must be said that much of this harm was because she was never believed when she made her first complaint of sexual assault to Child Safety, to her family and to police,” Justice Estcourt said.
The second victim described ongoing struggles with fear, anxiety and sleepless nights.
“The abuse has affected her relationships, her work and her faith in others,” the judge said.
“She is doing her best to heal but feels that the impact of the trauma will stay with her for the rest of her life.”
Justice Estcourt sentenced RGM to a single term of 10 years’ imprisonment, backdated to his arrest in November 2022.
He will be eligible for parole after serving at least five years, while his name will also remain on the sex offender register for five years after his release.
The judge noted that although the guilty plea came late, it spared the victims from having to give evidence at trial.
