‘You will not control the person I want to be’: Paedophile Harold James Climas confronted by his victim

A survivor of child sexual abuse has called out the pedophile in court who assaulted her, as footage comes to light showing the moment he was arrested. Watch the video.

A sexual assault survivor has in court confronted the paedophile who abused her, as footage is released of the moment he was arrested by police.

Harold James Climas, 72, was confronted by his victim and her mum in the Adelaide District Court.

The mother was in tears as she told the court she did not find out about the abuse from her daughter, as she was afraid of not being believed.

“She chose to confide in a friend — she thought that I wouldn’t believe her, that was heartbreaking for me,” she said.

The girl’s mother tearfully told the court how she had been wracked with guilt for not being able to protect her daughter

Harold James Climas during his arrest for sexually assaulting a child. Picture: Supplied

“As a parent I already felt I had already failed her — I should have been paying attention,” she said.

“She didn’t come to me for help — she thought I wouldn’t believe her — I blame myself, I hate myself — I feel like a bad parent — it was my duty as a parent to protect (my daughter).”

Released by police, footage shows a female officer entering a Mount Gambier backyard where she announces Climas is being arrested for a number of offences against the victim.

“She’s alleging that you’ve indecently assaulted her and raped her,” the officer says to Climas.

“I don’t think so,” Climas replies.

“I didn’t touch her.”

The victim’s mother told the court defenders who believed in Climas’ innocence have harassed her daughter since court proceedings began.

Climas’ victim, who was just 10 when she was abused, bravely called out her abuser.

“You will not have a say in how my future goes — you will not control the person I want to be,” she said.

The girl is currently battling to overcome her extreme trauma, telling the court she felt like she’s “been put into a sinkhole that (she) cannot climb out of”.

Harold James Climas was found guilty of sexually abusing a child under 14. Picture: Arj Ganesan

The girl said she lives in fear of being abused again and often experience serious depressive episodes remaining shut in her room and refusing to even eat.

“I don't know if my mum could have ever prevented this but I know that she tried her best to protect me. She has not failed me. You’re the one that has,” the girl said.

Climas was found guilty of one count of aggravated indecent assault, unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 14 years and attempted unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 14 years.

The court previously heard the victim had tried to “block out” the memory of the sexual assault for four years before, in a moment of vulnerability “word vomited” what had happened to her.

Climas was labelled as an opportunistic offender – building up a rapport with his victim by giving her gifts and taking her to Kmart after the assault.

A psychological assessment of Climas will take place in June with a further and final assessment scheduled to take place in August.

Further submissions will be made following these psychological assessments before Climas is sentenced.