Man jailed for 22 years for sexually abusing his two step children and niece while videoing them

A northern suburbs man has been jailed for 22 years after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his two step children and niece and filming it.

A man who groomed and sexually assaulted his two de facto step children and niece and had 2201 photos and 320 videos of child exploitation material will spend at least 17 years in prison.

The man from Adelaide’s northern suburbs, who can’t be named to protect his victims’ identities, was sentenced in the District Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to 29 child sex offences in 2017 and between 2020 and 2022.

Judge Jo-Anne Deuter said the man’s first charge related to his niece when in 2017 he touched her inappropriately while taking videos, with the offending against his two other victims starting in July 2020, and lasting about two years, weeks after starting a relationship with their mother.

Judge Deuter said the man assaulted one of the step children more than the other, with over 100 videos of her in a “compromising position” found in his possession.

“There are 123 separate tapes recording sexual offending against (one of his step children),” she said.

“While your offending was repugnant, perverted and disgraceful, in all respects, the offending against (this victim) is particularly vile.

“You abused (the victim) for nearly two years and the description by police of how the videos (depicting the victim) changed (the victim’s) behaviour is incredibly sad.

“It demonstrates the full measure of selfishness in relation to your offending … it’s hard to contemplate this offending against a child.”

The man was arrested by the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) on July 29, 2022, after his partner – the mother of two of his victims and mother of his then unborn child – found a device containing child exploitation material in the roof space of their home.

Judge Deuter said videos, taken by the man at public places including his step children’s swimming carnival, were also found in his possession.

“The offences you’ve committed demonstrate you have a deep interest in sexual acts with children, particularly pre-pubescent girls,” she said.

“There’s no doubt … you’ve taken advantage of the youth and naivety of your young victims, particularly your niece and two step children, you have exploited them and you have stolen their innocence.

“In sentencing you, I must take into account that you have previously been sentenced for other child sexual offending (in 2009).”

Judge Deuter said the man has been assaulted while imprisoned and diagnosed with pedophilic disorder.

“You are remorseful but do not deny the offending,” she said.

The man was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment with a non-parole of 17 months, seven months and 19 days.