Star equestrian Joshua James David Slape found guilty of vile child sex offences

A South-East equestrian whose sexual abuse of a child left her begging not to be left alone with him is now a convicted paedophile.

A star equestrian from SA’s South-East is now a convicted paedophile after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a child on several occasions, including next to his sleeping girlfriend.

Joshua James David Slape, 24, knew his child victim and her family through the horse industry, often travelling with the family to events together.

During the tense verdict earlier this month, with supporters of Slape in the body of the court, Judge Heath Barklay spoke directly to the accused.

“In relation to count one on the information … I find (Slape) guilty,” he said.

Prosecutor Stephanie Moore previously told the court Slape would usually abuse his victim in his vehicle “when he and the complaint were alone”.

Joshua James David Slape. Picture: Facebook

The child would eventually send several texts to her mother, begging not to be left alone in a car with him, the court heard.

“I’ll tell you if you come in Josh’s car,” a text from the child to her mother read.

“I can’t make it look bad, just say you want to go with me.”

Slape faced the judge alone trial over the charges in the Mount Gambier District Court in October for maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child under 16.

After being found guilty of the more serious charge, seven counts of indecent assault were not proceeded with.

The court heard the victim had been sexually abused at both her home and the Slape family home in Glenburnie.

During the trial, the court heard the victim was groped at Slape’s home during a party, while his girlfriend lay sleeping near the child.

Under cross-examination, Slape denied he had shown the girl pornographic videos or developed a sexual interest in the child, defending his actions of giving the child condoms.

“She had just turned 16, I didn’t want her to get pregnant – I don’t care what she does – (but getting pregnant) it’s not something you would recommend,” Slape said.

The child is expected to provide a victim impact statement at Slape’s next appearance in January.

Slape had been serving an 11-year jail term for three counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape, before overturning his conviction after winning his appeal.

On appeal, Justice Sam Doyle, Justice Chris Bleby and Justice Sophie David found the trial judge had “misunderstood the effect of the DNA evidence”, as well as erred by refusing the application for separate trials.

Slape will be retried in March on the three counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape.