Decorated soldier jailed for appalling sexual, physical abuse of son, daughter

A decorated ex-army vet has been jailed after claiming his humiliating wrestling was “horseplay” – a cover for years of brutal physical and sexual abuse.

A decorated ex-army vet who sexually, emotionally, and physically abused his son and daughter for years under the guise of “horseplay” has been jailed.

The man – who legally cannot be identified – humiliated his two children, forced his son into a vile act with the boy’s dog and choked and sexually abused his daughter after she turned 13, the District Court heard during sentencing.

It was told he subjected them to constant wrestling that would result in brutal injuries, including sunburnt skin being torn from flesh.

“You engaged in wrestling, but when (your son) got free and started to walk away, you pushed him so that he ended up on his back on the floor with his legs up on the couch,” Auxiliary Judge Gordon Barrett said.

“You dragged (your son) violently up the couch so that his sunburnt skin was partially removed from the upper part of his back and shoulders.”

The court heard during bouts of wrestling, the ex-serviceman would slowly spit down at his children, which they found “humiliating”.

His Honour said the daughter was also subjected to wrestling, but as she hit puberty it became a tool for sexual abuse.

The court heard on multiple occasions the man, aged in his 50s, came home drunk and sexually abused her – including when she was as young as 13.

His Honour said that on a separate occasion at the age of 17, the man entered his daughter’s bedroom while drunk and choked her until she was unconscious.

The man was found guilty by a judge at trial of one count of rape, sexual abuse of a child, assault causing harm, five counts of indecent assault and two counts of assault.

During sentencing submissions, the man’s ex-wife said the discovery of the man’s crimes was like a “nuclear bomb explosion” and her children said they grew up in a home “ruled by fear”.

The court heard that when the son was no older than nine, the man used his son’s pet dog to subject the boy to an act of bestiality.

“This was a grossly intimidating offence against a young child,” Judge Barrett said.

His Honour said a forensic psychologist confirmed the man suffered from PTSD, but his mental health conditions did not explain the abuse he perpetrated.

Judge Barrett sentenced the man to nine years’ jail, with a six-year non-parole period.

The sentence was backdated to July 3, 2025 when his bail was revoked.

Following the sentencing, victim advocate and the children’s legal counsel, Andrew Carpenter, said the man continued to show “no remorse or contrition” for the “horrific abuse”.

“Whilst his children wished for a higher sentence, they are glad the courts have recognised the pain the offender caused,” Mr Carpenter said.

“Whilst the offender will be out in a matter of years, his conduct has resulted in a life sentence of trauma for his children.”

The man has lodged an appeal against his conviction, which will be heard next year.