Child-sex offender James Thomas Mulholland’s victim and family confront him in court about ‘shame’ that can’t be scrubbed

A brave young girl sexually abused by a former CFS volunteer and car photographer says his revolting actions have even stopped her eating certain foods.

James Mulholland has been charged with sexually abusing a child. Picture: Instagram

A girl sexually abused and videoed by an Adelaide car photographer and former CFS volunteer says she can no longer eat specific foods, watch new movies and worries about being around cars, a court has heard.

On Thursday, James Thomas Mulholland, 29, of Aldinga Beach appeared in the District Court before Judge Kristopher Handshin as his victim faced him to tell the court how his consistent abuse had changed her life.

“I went to a car show and found it extremely challenging to be there because James is very much into cars … I don’t know what makes me happy anymore,” the girl said.

“I cannot eat specific foods I associate with James, I cannot be around certain smells that I associate with James.”

The girl, who was 12 when the abuse began, said she could no longer enjoy new movies and TV shows as not knowing what would happen made her feel anxious.

Mulholland of Aldinga Beach pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child. Picture: Instagram

Mulholland’s victim told the court she could not experience life the same, and smells and foods could trigger her. Picture: Instagram

Prosecutors read statements to the court from other members of the family, including her father, who said the abuse his daughter suffered had “stolen” something she continues to try to “reclaim”.

“(My daughter) struggles daily trying to reclaim what James stole from her, trying to scrub the shame that sinks into every thought she has while she tries to process who she is,” the girl’s father said.

“Her voice was stolen when he repeatedly did it again and again, and shattered (her) ability to love and trust genuine people.”

The victim’s mother told the court the girl had lived with suicidal ideations and self-harm.

“(My daughter) has stated on many occasions she would rather be dead,” her mother wrote.

“(My daughter) has not been able to live a normal teenage life, or even a normal life as we all have done.

“Not one day goes past where this has not affected our family, the continual anguish of reliving, and trying not to is consistent hell.”

Mulholland, of Aldinga Beach, pleaded guilty to maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child, knowingly being in possession of child exploitation material and disseminating child exploitation material.

The court heard Mulholland was suffering from “extremely poor” mental health at the time of the offending. Picture: Instagram

The abuse took place between October 2020 and February 2024 and Mulholland possessed pictures of his victim and other unknown children being exploited, and a single video of his victim.

Kassandra Girolamo, for Mulholland, told the court her client thought the girl was someone who cared about him, and he was “extremely remorseful”.

“He knew, on my instructions, that what he was doing was wrong and he believed … the complainant was someone who cared about him,” Ms Girolamo said.

“It’s clear to him now that he is the adult in that relationship and by all account his behaviour and offending was totally inappropriate.”

“He instructs me that he is extremely remorseful for the offending before the court today.”

The court heard Mulholland was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and a depressed mood, complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder.

“My instructions are, that at the time of the offending, Mr Mulholland’s mental health was extremely poor and that he does instruct me that during that time there were very regular admissions to mental health wards,” Ms Girolamo said.

Judge Handshin remanded Mulholland in custody to hand down sentence later this month.