Clarenza's Gabriel Squirrel convicted of child sexual abuse

Almost six months on from the sentencing and release of a Clarence Valley child sex offender, the victim’s parents have spoken out about their “living nightmare”.

A family rocked by sexual abuse of a child are experiencing “a living nightmare”.

Almost six months on from the sentencing and release of a Clarence Valley pedophile, the victim’s parents have spoken out about their “living nightmare”.

“Our child has done nothing wrong but they’re the one living in terror,” said the parents of the victim, who cannot be identified.

A jury found the perpetrator, Gabriel Noel Squirrel, 70, guilty of three counts of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 years, and possessing and producing child abuse material.

Due to time Squirrel had already served on remand, the Clarenza man was released on parole the same day he was sentenced at Coffs Harbour District Court on December 18, 2024, with a court varying the ratio of time in custody due to the “harsh effects of incarceration”.

“He got two years but this nightmare is never going to end for our family,” the victim’s parents said.

Gabriel Noel Squirrel, 70, was not given a sentence discount due to pleading not guilty to the charges.

As a result of the offences, which occurred in 2022, the parents say their child now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and agoraphobia.

They say it makes everyday tasks such as attending school and going outside almost impossible.

The parents of a child targeted by a pedophile in Grafton have spoken out.

“If we could afford it we would have moved away by now,” they said.

Judge Michael McHugh sentenced Squirrel to an aggregate term of imprisonment of four years with a non-parole period of two years, one month and four days, making Squirrel eligible for parole on December 18, 2024.

Squirrel was found guilty by a jury in Coffs Harbour District Court on October 28, 2024 after pleading not guilty on June 6, 2023.

Got a news tip? Email: [e-mail]

Originally published as Clarenza's Gabriel Squirrel convicted of child sexual abuse