Naracoorte man to be sentenced for sexually abusing his ex-partner’s daughter

A rugby player’s ex-partner said she will never forgive him for sexually abusing her daughter for over a year and manipulating her for his own twisted benefit.

A 28-year-old father and rugby player committed the ultimate act of betrayal on his partner’s daughter by sexually abusing her for over a year.

The man, who cannot be identified to protect his victim, appeared in the Adelaide District Court on Friday for sentencing submissions, still denying responsibility for his vile actions.

A victim impact statement was read to the court by the victim’s mother, saying he took her daughter’s “childhood, safety and trust”.

“The consequences of (the man’s) actions haunt me every single day,” she said.

“She loved him, she looked up to him and she thought of him as a father figure when he manipulated her for his own benefit.

“He hurt (the victim) physically, mentally, emotionally and thought absolutely nothing of it.”

The victim’s mother said the man had “zero care” for the damage he caused.

“My amazing, bright and caring child became a shell of herself due to what he did,” she said.

“He took her confidence, her self worth and the very essence that made her her.

“Although I do not hate him, I will never forgive him for what he did, especially to my little girl who just wanted to be loved.”

A Naracoorte man, who cannot be identified to protect his victim, will be sentenced for maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child. Picture: Facebook

The Naracoorte man was found guilty at trial of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.

The offending occurred for over a year at Naracoorte and Murray Bridge.

The maximum penalty for the charge is life imprisonment.

Nicholas Healy, for the man, told the court he did not admit the offending.

The court heard the man was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia during his schooling years.

He formed a relationship with the victim’s mother who he met through friends and they had two children together.

“He’s worked throughout his entire adult life in mainly labouring type roles,” Mr Healy said.

“He enjoyed playing sports, particularly rugby league.”

The court heard the man was playing rugby in Naracoorte and Adelaide.

“In the last two years he was selected in a (representative rugby team) but he didn’t elect to play because he didn’t think the team was going to be very competitive in interstate play and his work was far more important to him,” Mr Healy said.

Mr Healy said the man had a supportive family.

“My client’s never been to prison before, he’s a young man,” he said.

Mr Healy asked Judge Geraldine Davison to structure a sentence to give the man some opportunity to live a meaningful life in the community.

The court heard the man will face deportation once released from jail.

Judge Davison will sentence the man next month.