Court considers whether Leslie Paul David Long pleaded guilty to wrong child sex abuse charge

Proceedings against a South East man who sexually abused and impregnated a child have stalled after the court found inconsistencies in the victim’s allegations.

A Mount Gambier man who impregnated a child has been remanded on bail while the courts consider whether he pleaded guilty to the wrong charge.

Sitting in the dock in the Mount Gambier District Court, Leslie Paul David Long, 43, was expecting to be sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of persistent sexual exploitation of child.

The Mount Gambier man has been remanded on bail while a court considers whether he pleaded guilty to the wrong charge.

Discrepancies between the victim’s allegations and court documents were brought to light on Friday by Judge Rauf Soulio.

Judge Soulio said the charges should read as “maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship”.

Judge Soulio added court documents showed the period of offending differed from the victim’s allegations.

The court also heard the pair had spent time in another state where the age of consent is lower.

“That, amongst other things, has the effect of reducing the period over which the offending took place.”

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Earlier this month, the victim, now an adult, read out her impact statement, telling the court she was “haunted” by the persistent abuse the accused inflicted upon her.

“I was a child, a girl that was lost, confused — you were 29 years old,” she said.

“Pregnancy is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life — I was terrified.”

The victim said his constant sexual demands and verbal abuse left her with a PTSD, anxiety and depression and she struggled saying no to sex in other relationships.

“When I do have the courage to say no, I’m terrified that my partner will be angry with me,” she said.

The accused’s victim said she drew strength from their son who wanted nothing to do with his biological dad.

“He is ashamed to be related to you,” the victim said.

In earlier submissions to the court the Long’s defence lawyer Nick Healy said these historic charges were only brought forward after his victim heard “rumours” of the man beginning another relationship with a schoolgirl.

“He vehemently denies that he was ever in a relationship with a school-aged girl — other than the (historic) relationship he had with (the victim),” Mr Healy said.

Judge Soulio adjourned the matter to April where he will hear further submissions before he delivers his sentence.