Barossa man to be sentenced for maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with 5yo stepdaughter

A 54-year-old Barossa man who sexually abused his five-year-old stepdaughter for over 13 years has no underlying pedophilic disorder, according to his lawyer.

A man grossly breached his stepdaughter’s trust after he sexually abused her for over 13 years, starting when she was as young as five.

The Barossa Valley man appeared in the Adelaide District Court by video link from custody after his despicable actions caused a young girl to lose her childhood.

The court heard the now 54-year-old man met the mother’s victim when he was 21 and became a stepfather to her three children.

The man maintained a sexual relationship with his stepdaughter at multiple places, including in the South-East and the Barossa Ranges from 1990 until it ended in 2003.

A prosecutor told the court the man should be sentenced to 12 years jail as a starting point.

“Such a starting point would be justified, having regard to the duration of the conduct, the wide range of sexual conduct, the frequency of that sexual conduct, the position of trust and authority between the defendant and the victim and the fact that the relationship was sustained through violent and controlling behaviour,” the prosecutor said.

“The incident where he grabs a firearm from the rear of the ute aptly demonstrates the lengths he was willing to go to to maintain control of the relationship.”

The court heard the victim felt as if she had lost her childhood due to the offending, as well as it affecting the relationship she has with her children now.

The man will be sentenced this week. Photo: File

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, was previously found guilty in trial of an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.

Kathryn Waite, for the man, told the court he continued to deny the offending.

“He’s very well aware that he will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a very long time,” she said.

“(The man), whilst not admitting the offending does admit the relationship with the complainant … he says that he loved her during his affair which he described as 15-months duration,” Ms Waite said.

“He indicates that he never wanted to hurt her.”

Ms Waite told the court the man has no intention to pursue the victim once he’s released.

“This is reflective of his remorse,” she said.

“There is no indication of an underlying pedophilic disorder … my submission is that this offence is situationally specific and limited to this complainant.

“In my submission there is no risk of reoffending, there is zero risk of reoffending.”

The prosecutor disagreed with these submissions.

“Giving the offending commenced when the complainant was only five years of age, there is very strong evidence contrary to that,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Michael Boylan adjourned the sentencing until this week.