Andrew Buitenhuis jailed for ten years for the abuse of two children while volunteering as a youth group leader

A former city council worker and CFS volunteer has been jailed for a decade for crimes he committed while a trusted Christian youth group volunteer in the 90s.

A former council worker and CFS volunteer who abused two young children while working as a Christian youth group leader has been jailed for a decade.

Andrew Buitenhuis, 59, from Mount Barker, abused two nine-year-old children under cover of darkness while playing games like “sardines” and “capture the flag”.

Buitenhuis was arrested decades after he abused the two children in the early 1990s and charged with two counts of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.

He stood trial before a jury and was convicted of both charges.

During sentencing on Monday, District Court Judge Anthony Allen said Buitenhuis had been trusted to care for and entertain the children.

“The parents of these two children entrusted you with their care,” he said.

“This was supposed to be a safe place for the children – the truth of the situation was anything but that.”

The court heard that Buitenhuis does not accept the verdict of the jury and maintains his innocence.

Andrew Buitenhuis has been jailed for a decade for crimes committed while volunteering as a Christian youth worker. Picture: The Advertiser.

Judge Allen said Buitenhuis had been a productive member of society and worked for the Adelaide City Council for the more than 30 years.

He was also a CFS volunteer for more than 15 years.

“I accept that you were previously a man of good character,” he said.

“But that provided the opportunity to offend against the children in the first place.”

Buitenhuis ran a youth group attached to a Christian church in Fullarton between January 1, 1990 and December 21, 1992.

The jury heard during the trial that Buitenhuis arranged for games to be played at nightfall and would then hide with the victims and sexually assault them.

In victim impact statements read to the court the two victims explained how years of repressing and suppressing the abuse they suffered had left them emotionally scarred.

Judge Allen said when Buitenhuis’ offending came to light his marriage of more than 30 years came to an end, however his children continued to support him.

Buitenhuis was jailed for ten years with a mandatory non-parole of eight years because of his stature as a serious repeat offender.

With time already served he will be eligible for parole in March 2031.