A Tasmanian man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for what a Supreme Court judge called “the worst case of child sexual abuse this court has seen to date”.
MJR, 36, pleaded guilty to 81 charges including 54 counts of rape against his nephew, who was aged between nine and 14 during the five-year period of abuse.
Justice Stephen Estcourt handed down the sentence on December 5, ordering MJR serve at least 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.
The court heard the Kingston man systematically abused the vulnerable child at multiple locations across Tasmania between 2018 and 2023.
The victim, who has hearing impairment and autism, was isolated from family support and groomed with video games and gifts.
MJR recorded much of the abuse on his phone and shared the footage with a co-offender in northern Tasmania, who also abused the child.
The defendant was HIV-positive throughout the offending and rarely used protection, the court heard.
Police began investigating after the victim, then 14, disclosed the abuse at the Huonville Police Station in July 2023.
A clinical psychologist’s report tendered to the court revealed the now 15-year-old suffers PTSD and suicidal ideation.
“He will never know the person he would be if this had not happened,” his psychologist wrote. “This has been stolen from him.”
The victim told the psychologist he wants to leave Tasmania permanently.
“I want to forget everything that has happened here,” he said. “I want to get away from everything, every reminder”
Justice Estcourt noted there were “no mitigating factors and many aggravating circumstances” including grooming and the infliction of pain and terror.
MJR was placed on the sex offender registry for life.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831.
