A Tasmanian man has been jailed for six and a half years after being convicted of the persistent sexual abuse of two eight-year-old girls who visited his home to play with his children.
The 40-year-old, identified only as “Mr B”, was found guilty by a jury of one count of persistent sexual abuse of a young person and one count of indecent assault following a trial in the Supreme Court.
Justice Michael Brett found the man had exploited the trust of neighbourhood children who regularly came to his mother’s house, where he lived with his three children.
The abuse occurred between December 2021 and May 2022, primarily in a caravan parked in the driveway and in the man’s bedroom.
“Instead of discharging your responsibility as an adult to supervise and protect them, you took advantage of their friendship with your children and their presence at your house to exploit and abuse them,” Justice Brett said.
“You did this clearly for your own sexual gratification.”
Justice Brett said both complainants had provided impact statements detailing the devastating effects of the abuse.
“It is clear that the impact on each of them has been significant and devastating,” he said.
“I have no doubt that those impacts are likely to last long term and possibly for life.”
The man showed no remorse throughout the trial and maintained his innocence. The court heard he has a limited criminal history with no prior sexual offences.
“There was a clear predatory aspect to this offending,” Justice Brett said, noting the man had told the first victim to keep the abuse secret.
The man must serve a minimum of four years and four months before becoming eligible for parole.
He will be required to register as a sex offender for 20 years upon his release.
“Given the predatory and opportunistic nature of this offending and the complete lack of any demonstrated remorse, I consider that the risk of future offending is high,” Justice Brett said.
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
Tasmania’s Victims of Crime Service: 1300 300 238
