Vivian Frederick Deboo jailed until at least 2024 for indecently assaulting boys decades years ago

After decades of silence and pain, two brothers have at last seen their abuser, Vivian Frederick Deboo, brought to justice and jailed.

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Six years ago, the man known as “A” looked across the stage of his child’s kindergarten Christmas performance and directly into the eyes of a monster.

Upon seeing Vivian Frederick Deboo, A knew he could no longer be silent about the sexual abuse he and his brother, “B”, had suffered at the caterer’s hands in the 1990s.

On Tuesday, A looked across the District Court, from the jury box into the dock, as Deboo was jailed for six years, seven months and six days.

Deemed a serious repeat offender, the church elder, 74, will not be eligible to seek parole until March 9, 2024.

“I feel amazing, like everything we’ve done for the past six years – even when I felt like I’d give up and wasn’t strong enough – has been worthwhile,” A said outside court.

“Even more importantly I feel like we have a voice now, like we have momentum – it’s no longer about Deboo, it’s about changing future sentencing.”

The triumphant brothers known as “A” and “B” leave the District Court, following the sentencing of child sex offender Vivian Frederick Deboo. Picture: Dean Martin

B agreed, calling on the public to continue “the national conversation” about adequate punishment for child sex offenders.

“This sentence is a powerful deterrent and shows that the community’s attitude is changing,” he said.

“Standing here today is a victory, we had already won, because not just our friends and family but everyone is talking about this issue.

“That’s empowered A and I to talk about it, without shame, for the first time in 30 years – that’s a much bigger victory than even a jail sentence.”

Deboo, 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.

The victim called “B” confronts Vivian Deboo, centre, and his wife Margaret, right, during sentencing submissions.

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.

Last 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.

Last week, they and their army of supporters created a “monster crossing” outside court, making Deboo take a “walk of shame” into the building.

A and B, along with an army of supporters, made a “monster crossing” around Vivian Deboo as he entered court. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

It turned out to be the abuser’s last moments of freedom – the court revoked his bail and remanded him in custody, despite his plea for a home detention sentence.

In sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Simon Stretton said Deboo’s crimes showed “distinct elements of grooming” and had “devastated” A, B and their families.

“It is clear your offending had a cataclysmic effect on your two victims … it resulted in great suffering, and that they continue to suffer,” he said.

“You have no psychological or psychiatric conditions – in short, you have no excuse – and you are quite practised in being able to compartmentalise your guilt.

“To say your offending is serious is an understatement … (A and B) were your fourth and fifth victims … you must receive a sentence that reflects significant condemnation.”

A and B embrace outside court following the sentencing. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Deboo had asked the court to sentence him to home detention, but Judge Stretton said that “would not be in the interests of the community”.

“You are physically healthy, still sexually capable and have not successfully completed any recognised or accredited treatment for your paedophilic inclinations,” he said.

“I consider you pose a low, but still appreciable, risk of reoffending.”

Outside court, B said the sentence was “hefty” under existing state law, but called for legislative reform to increase paedophile penalties.

Carly Ryan Foundation chief executive Sonya Ryan agreed.

“I’m relieved home detention was not granted, and it was a good sentencing outcome under current standards,” she said.

“However, it does show how far we have yet to go and the very reason the Foundation is pushing for adequate sentencing for sexual crimes against children.”

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