Port Lincoln child-sex offender Richard O’Neil will be sentenced next month

When this wanted child-sex offender failed to appear in court, police refused to release his image, citing “privacy reasons”. Now we know where he was.

A wanted child-sex offender of whom police refused to release images after he failed to turn up to court committed his vile actions for his own sexual gratification, a court has heard.

Richard O’Neil, 39, faced sentencing submissions in the Adelaide District Court on Monday in custody, still refusing to acknowledge his guilty verdict.

During O’Neil’s trial in the Port Augusta District Court in August, the court heard he subjected the victim to numerous sexual acts.

The court heard before the victim disclosed O’Neil’s offending, she told her father she was scared of pedophiles and was reluctant to play in the park because she was scared of them being there.

Sally Burgess, for O’Neil, told the Adelaide District Court on Monday he underwent a rehabilitation program for his alcohol addiction and got sober before his trial.

“Once the verdict came, he unfortunately has relapsed,” she said.

Richard O'Neil will be sentenced next month. Photo: Facebook

Ms Burgess said O’Neil started drinking heavily again and became confused with his court dates, which is why he didn’t show up in May.

Ms Burgess said O’Neil, who had worked in the building and fishing industry, did not acknowledge the verdict.

The court heard despite O’Neil being bailed to Port Lincoln, he was living in Whyalla at the time of his arrest.

A warrant was issued for O’Neil’s arrest in May, after he failed to show up to court for sentencing submissions.

At the time, The Messenger approached SA Police and asked if a photo could be provided of O’Neil to alert the public but the request was refused.

A spokesperson said they could not provide an image of the Port Lincoln man for “privacy” reasons.

“There are privacy principles that are under SAPOL’s general orders that restrict us from releasing images in certain situations,” a spokesperson said.

After public outrage about a photo of a wanted child-sex offender not being released, The Messenger asked SAPOL if they would consider changing their policies.

“South Australia Police will only release photographs of wanted people when there is a risk to members of the public; legislative requirements or privacy principles have been considered; and the current state of the investigation warrants public assistance to locate the offender,” the spokesperson said.

O’Neil, of Port Lincoln, was found guilty in March of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.

Jeff Powell, prosecuting, told the court O’Neil took advantage of the child for his own sexual gratification.

Judge Timothy Heffernan will sentence O’Neil next month.