Domenico Antonio Panuccio-Richardson avoided jail for unlawful sex with a child
A 22-year-old man has dodged jail after he booked a caravan park to have sex with a “vulnerable” child who ended up giving birth to a baby.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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A country predator has avoided jail for sexually abusing a child, which was uncovered after she gave birth to a baby.
Domenico Antonio Panuccio-Richardson, 22, exploited the “vulnerable” teenage girl on two occasions, despite admitting to police he knew her age.
The District Court heard Panuccio-Richardson met the victim through a mutual friend in late 2020 and started communicating with her by Snapchat.
At the time Panuccio-Richardson was 20 and the victim was 15.
The court heard Panuccio-Richardson and the victim went to Port Lowly to fish, where she performed oral sex on him.
Panuccio-Richardson booked accommodation at a Port Pirie caravan park in early 2021, where he had sex with the victim.
“Your offending took advantage of the complainant by virtue of her young age and the vulnerable position she was in,” Judge Michael Durrant said during sentencing.
The court heard the victim gave birth to a baby in September 2021 and the paternity of the child was unknown for some time.
Panuccio-Richardson admitted to police he had sex with the victim and knew she was only 16.
Testing confirmed that Panuccio-Richardson was not the father of the victim’s child.
Panuccio-Richardson, of Risdon Park, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
During her victim impact statement, the victim said she felt exploited, pressured and taken advantage of.
The court heard Panuccio-Richardson, who was working at Viterra, was ashamed and embarrassed of his offending.
Judge Durrant sentenced Panuccio-Richardson to 18 months jail, with a non-parole period of nine months.
“The purpose of the law is not only to protect adolescents against sexual exploitations and predations of older men, but also against their own immature inclinations,” Judge Durrant said.
Due to his immaturity and lack of criminal history, the sentence was suspended on a $500, 18-month good behaviour bond.
“So it’s up to you now to make the most of the opportunity that you’ve been given … and don’t come back,” Judge Durrant said.
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