Man jailed for sexually abusing nine-year-old granddaughter and niece

A man will spend at least six years behind bars for sexually abusing both his granddaughter and niece during sleepovers.

A Grandfather has been jailed for at least six years for the “persistent” abuse of his young granddaughter and niece on separate sleepovers at his home.

Judge Ian Press said during sentencing the man’s offending was a “gross breach of the trust placed in you” as both girls had been left in his care overnight during the offending periods.

“You took advantage of the very vulnerable position in which each victim found herself,” Judge Press said.

The man was found guilty of abusing both his 13-year-old niece and 9-year-old granddaughter. iStock image

“You had time to contemplate what you were about to do and determined to proceed anyway.

“I have also had regard to the persistence shown by you, even in the face of your granddaughter not to commit the offences.”

A District Court jury found the man guilty of two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 12 years, one count of aggravated indecent assault and one count of indecent assault.

The court heard the man entered his son’s room – where his 9-year-old granddaughter was staying – multiple times in one night.

The victim told the court that during the assault, she asked her grandfather to stop on multiple occasions.

“She told you to leave her alone and said words to the effect of ‘Why are you doing this to me Grandpa?’” His honour said.

The court heard the first victim – the man’s 13-year-old niece – was also indecently assaulted a few years earlier.

The court heard the man’s granddaughter asked him “Why are you doing this to me Grandpa?”. Picture: Getty Images

“When you told her you would not hurt her, she rolled out of the bed and ran to the toilet where she remained for the rest of the night.”

“She was extremely upset and cried until she fell asleep on the toilet floor.”

The court heard neither girl provided a victim impact statement, but his honour said their reactions to the offending provided insight into the offending's “impact” on them.

“Children often carry the burden of the offending with them and do not complain for many years,” Judge Press said.

The court heard the man continued to “deny the allegations” against him, and had breached his bail conditions by contacting one of the victims.

The court heard the man’s mother and son remained “supportive” and one of his sisters was experiencing significant health problems.

Judge Press sentenced the man to seven years, six months imprisonment, with a non parole period of six years.

His honour also ordered an intervention order to protect the victims.