A 65-year-old Tasmanian man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl who trusted him as a father figure.
The man, identified only as RJC for legal reasons, exploited his close relationship with the victim’s family to groom and abuse her over two years.
The abuse began when the girl was 16 and continued until she was nearly 18.
The Supreme Court of Tasmania heard RJC had been a family friend for years before becoming involved in the girl’s life when she was 14.
He ran an animal nursery and invited her to help at agricultural shows, including the Royal Hobart Show.
Her parents trusted him completely and supported the arrangement, the court was told.
“You acknowledged … that you knew the complainant had particular vulnerabilities and there is no doubt that you took advantage of those vulnerabilities in the manner in which you engaged with her,” Chief Justice Chris Shanahan said in his sentencing comments.
The court heard RJC began discussing sexual topics with the victim in July 2019, just after she turned 16.
The conversations escalated to physical abuse, including sexual intercourse and taking explicit photographs.
He manipulated her by claiming he had mental health problems and was suicidal if she refused his advances.
RJC also told her the abuse was normal and repeatedly asked her to delete sexual text messages.
In her victim impact statement, the young woman described the ongoing effects of the abuse.
“… You have touched every part of my body and I’ll be forever disgusted by your name,” she said.
“Mentally, you have affected me and caused a lot of grief. Some days I can’t even bear the thought of my own boyfriend simply touching my arm or my leg.”
The young woman said not being able to tell anyone of the offending was “excruciatingly hard” for her and “scary”. She said she was “terrified people would judge” her.
“I will never forget laying in your bedroom, naked, facing the wall, feeling so alone,” she said.
“Your actions keep me up at night and I will never forget the disgusting words you said to me.”
The court was told she developed an eating disorder, body dysmorphia and self-harmed during the abuse.
Chief Justice Shanahan said the offending was “appalling” and required a lengthy prison term.
“Your conduct exploited your relationship with the complainant and with the complainant’s family. It was consistent and prolonged,” he said.
He noted RJC’s previous good character had helped him gain the family’s trust, making it an aggravating factor rather than mitigation.
RJC pleaded guilty to four charges including persistent sexual abuse and producing child exploitation material.
He must serve at least five years before being eligible for parole and will remain on the sex offender register for 20 years.
The sentence was backdated to August when he was remanded in custody.
Sexual assault support services:
Sexual Assault Support Service (Tasmania): 1800 697 877
1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault Counselling Australia: 1800 211 028
Bravehearts (support for child sexual abuse survivors): 1800 272 831
Other helplines:
Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
