A 31-year-old Tasmanian man has been jailed for abusing a 16-year-old boy who was a friend of his nephew.
The man, identified only as RAF, was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Tasmania after pleading guilty to one count of persistent sexual abuse of a young person.
The court last year heard RAF was 27 when he began grooming the teenager, who was still 15 at the time.
Justice Tamara Jago said the abuse occurred approximately 20 times between July and August 2021, after the victim had just turned 16.
RAF had known the child for several years and sent him increasingly inappropriate messages before the abuse began.
On the eve of the boy’s 16th birthday, RAF sent a message reading: “three more hours and you a young man buddy xx.”
Justice Jago described the message as “clearly sexual”.
The abuse only stopped when the teenager ended contact. His grandmother then reported the matter to police.
The court heard RAF had been struggling with depression and loneliness following the breakdown of a long-term relationship.
But Justice Jago said his mental health did not excuse his conduct.
“… You had a moral and legal obligation as a 27-year-old adult, not to seek comfort and emotional support by engaging in a sexual relationship with a child,” she said.
The victim, who has ADHD and autism, suffered significant harm including declining mental health, loss of confidence and turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Justice Jago noted the boy’s vulnerabilities made him “less able to fully evaluate the potential consequences” of what occurred.
She said the complainant expressed relief upon learning RAF would plead guilty, sparing him from giving evidence.
RAF was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with nine months suspended in December 2025.
He will be eligible for parole after serving half of the 15-month operative term.
He was also placed on the sex offender registry for five years.
