A 22-year-old Tasmanian man has been jailed for sexually abusing a teenage girl over nearly two years.
Blake Cate pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to persistent sexual abuse of a child, grooming and 19 counts of possessing child exploitation material.
The offences involved ongoing abuse of a girl aged 13 and 14 between late 2021 and October 2023, when Cate was aged 19 to 21.
Police uncovered the abuse after interrupting the pair in a parked car. More than 6,500 text messages and indecent images were later found on Cate’s phone.
Justice Michael Brett said the victim had suffered “significant” psychological harm from the abuse. She has been diagnosed with PTSD and prescribed antidepressants for “debilitating anxiety”.
“The complainant was simply not old enough or mature enough to be able to understand, cope with and make considered decisions about her participation in the relationship and in particular the sexual activity,” he said.
“There were also aspects of the sexual conduct which were degrading and had the potential to corrupt the complainant.”
“All of this was happening at a time which was critical to her emotional, psychological and sexual development.”
The court was told, in a victim impact statement, Cate was controlling and aggressive and that the girl had tried to end contact several times but felt trapped by his harassment and demands.
“… You were focussed on your own sexual and emotional gratification. The complainant’s age made her particularly vulnerable and you took advantage of that vulnerability,” Justice Brett said.
Cate must serve 15 months behind bars before being released on an 18-month suspended sentence with supervision. He cannot apply for parole during his time in custody.
A psychological report found Cate had borderline intellectual capacity and suffered from ADHD, depression and trauma linked to his sister’s death.
Justice Brett said those issues did not excuse his behaviour, but showed “a young person who was himself emotionally needy”.
“Adults, including young adults, who are inclined to take advantage of immature children and young people by engaging in unlawful sexual acts with them must realise that the conduct will be denounced by the community and they will face severe punishment,” he said.
“The only appropriate punishment is the imposition of a period of imprisonment.”
Cate has also been placed on the sex offender register for five years and his phone was forfeited.
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
