Paedophile Vivian Frederick Deboo makes walk of shame between his victims and their supporters — before a judge locks him up
Child sex predator Vivian Frederick Deboo’s last moment of freedom was spent walking a “monster’s crossing” — his two victims and their army of supporters surrounding him as he walked into court to have his bail revoked.
Law and Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law and Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- David Penberthy: Two years jail for so much pain is not justice
- ‘This is our army’: Brave brothers confront twisted paedophile
Cruel sex predator Vivian Frederick Deboo has spent his last moments of freedom walking a “monster’s crossing” created by his two victims and their army of supporters.
The brothers, known as “A” and “B”, confronted Deboo as he arrived at the District Court on Wednesday to ask for a home detention sentence.
However, after more than two hours of argument, Judge Simon Stretton said there was no reason to allow Deboo to remain at large ahead of his sentencing next Tuesday.
He then revoked bail and ordered Deboo be remanded in custody, elating the victims and their supporters.
“I feel, for the first time in 30 years, that some semblance of justice has been served today,” B told The Advertiser outside court.
“Deboo has had me in emotional handcuffs for 30 years — today, for the first time, he wears his.”
A agreed that “a small sense of justice” had been served.
“Seeing Deboo quickly escorted from the court to the cells, before he could even speak to his wife, was empowering,” he said.
“It was so powerful because it’s a role reversal — now he’s the small, weak, defenceless one with zero options and no chance of escape.”
Deboo, 74, of Pasadena pleaded guilty to multiple counts of indecent assault and gross indecency, perpetrated against A and B in the 1990s.
They were but two of many boys who fell victim to his predatory ways in the Adelaide Hills and on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
He was, at that time, a caterer, Pentecostalist born-again Christian, Gospel Church choir member and Christian Camping Association president.
In 1996, Deboo received a two-year non-parole period for some of his crimes — but A and B did not come forward about their abuse until 2015.
Earlier this month they told the court Deboo had twisted their faith in God and in their parents, tricking them into the false belief their father had condoned their torture.
Deboo’s lies fractured the boys’ family for years, but they have since resolved their issues and united to attend court.
On Wednesday, they and their group chanted “shame on you, Viv Deboo” as the paedophile and his wife, Margaret, left a taxi and made their way into court.
Margaret Deboo stuck her tongue out at supporters and photographers, and struck one photographer’s camera.
The supporters quickly filled the court’s public gallery, and so Judge Stretton permitted B and 11 others to sit in the jury box directly opposite the dock and Deboo.
Joana Fuller, for Deboo, argued denying her client a home detention sentence would make him a victim of bureaucratic “inconsistency”.
She claimed the Department for Correctional Services had certified “worse” offenders for home detention, and that its policies were conflicting and erratic.
Judge Stretton, however, said there was “little utility” in comparing Deboo to any other offender.
“Just because a person is suitable for home detention that is not the entire issue,” he said.
“There are very important concerns such as the seriousness of the offending and the need for adequate punishment.”
Ms Fuller said Deboo should be afforded leniency due to “the effect, upon my client, of the vilification of the media”.
“Articles have vilified my client, there were protesters outside court today, there is a Facebook page, there was a pamphlet drop in Pasadena,” she said.
“This media scrutiny and public shaming comes against a background of criminal conduct since 2015.
“Rocks have been thrown through his window, his vehicle was set alight and then vandalised at his premises.”
When she began to suggest Deboo knew the identity of the vandal, Judge Stretton cut her off.
“Unless there’s some fully justifiable legal reason for doing so, I will not allow you to accuse others of committing an unproven crime in this court,” he said.
“Am I making myself clear?”
Ms Fuller said an expert report showed Deboo posed only a “low risk” of reoffending — but Dr Peter Salu, prosecuting, said that was enough to render home detention inappropriate.
“A low risk remains an appreciable risk, not ‘no risk’ … it’s a risk that’s able to be estimated, that’s perceptible,” he said.
He said Deboo had never apologised nor shown contrition, and had refused to undertake offender rehabilitation after his last jail term.
“His strategy for not reoffending is, apparently, a religious one — there’s no factual basis, according to his psychologist, for it,” he said.
“Deboo’s offending against A was predatory and premeditated … it was a set-up … it relied on naivety, immaturity and familiarity.
“He was overbearing, and A had to fight to get away from him.
“With B, he used niceness and treats — ‘I know you don’t get sweet drinks at home, help yourself’ and ‘have extra cream with a glace cherry on top’.
“He quoted scripture, and mentioned knowing B’s parents, during his conduct
“This was a much older man relying on his physical size and his strength, relying on family connections and the position of trust he held, to offend.”
Judge Stretton remanded Deboo in custody for sentencing on Tuesday.
Outside court, A praised the family’s supporters for helping to raise community awareness of both their case and all child sex abuse matters.
“How did we gather this show of strength? We’ve got good friends,” he said.
“We’re extremely lucky to have incredibly good, supportive friends — that’s very much part of this.”
Home invaders steal, then crash, Mercedes
A luxury Mercedes sedan has been stolen by a man and woman during a violent home invasion at Kurralta Park.
It’s official: Notorious child predator to stay locked up
A notorious serial kidnapper and child predator has finally had his bid for release into the community denied after a two-year legal and political battle.