James Curyer jailed for abusing a 14-year-old at a Paralowie reserve

A father preyed on a vulnerable 14-year-old girl he had just met in a park, then abandoned her at night after promising to take her home.

A father took advantage of a 14-year-old girl by abusing her after she had opened up about family issues, a court had heard.

James Marshall Curyer, 31, was in a relationship when he preyed on the vulnerable girl before abandoning her in a park at night.

The Adelaide District Court on Friday heard the victim had left her home on April 9, 2020 after having an argument with her siblings.

“She was walking in a park across from her house when you approached her,” Judge Liesl Kudelka said during sentencing.

“The two of you had never met before.”

Curyer and the victim walked together to a park bench in a reserve to chat.

“You asked her eventually about her previous sexual experience,” Judge Kudelka said

“An act of fellatio occurred at the park bench between the two of you, which caused the victim to vomit.”

Curyer then told the victim he was going to take his scooter back to his friend’s house but would return to take her home.

“She waited for you so she could get home, but you did not return,” Judge Kudelka said.

The victim flagged down a passing car and was taken home just after midnight.

She told her mother what happened and it was reported to the police.

James Curyer was jailed for abusing a 14-year-old at a Paralowie reserve. Picture: File

Curyer, of Paralowie, pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse.

The court heard Curyer was a father, he was ashamed of the abuse and that he had a good work history.

“I fully accept that you care very deeply for your son and it is going to be extremely difficult for you to be separated from him,” Judge Kudelka said.

Judge Kudelka said while she took into account Curyer believed the victim was an adult he should have been more cautious.

“There are indicators in the conversation that you had which should have alerted you to the real possibility that she was much younger,” she said.

“That includes the fact that she told you that she had problems at home with her siblings and that she really had no sexual experience.”

The court heard Curyer was in a relationship at the time who was “very disappointed” with his offending but remained supportive of him.

Judge Kudelka said she accepted that Curyer was not someone actively interested in underage girls.

“However, your behaviour was grossly reckless that evening and you must have known it, because you told her that you were going to come back and then you did not,” she said.

The court heard Curyer had written a letter of apology to the victim and was deeply ashamed and regretful of his actions.

Judge Kudelka sentenced Curyer to two years and seven months jail, with a non-parole period of 16 months.

“Objectively you had sex, in the form of fellatio, with a 14-year-old girl who was very vulnerable, alone at night in a park,” she said.