Southern suburbs father handed a suspended sentence after assaulting two young daughters

A store manager who violently bashed his two young daughters over several years has walked free from court.

A thug who violently bashed his two young daughters, including leaving one with welts, has walked free from court.

The 40-year-old man, who cannot be identified, presented to others as hardworking and respectful, but behind closed doors was traumatising his children.

During sentencing, the District Court heard the offending occurred between 2011 and 2023 against the man’s two daughters.

On the first occasion, the man grabbed one of his daughters, who was aged 10 or 11 at the time.

“(You) struck her repeatedly on the buttocks and the leg causing her pain and inflicting hand-sized welts on her leg,” Judge Geraldine Davison said.

The father was handed a suspended sentence for the violent assaults. Photo: File

On another occasion, the man dragged the first victim and struck her multiple times, causing red marks and welts on her legs.

The court heard the man became angry with his other daughter on another occasion for not sweeping the floors properly.

“You proceeded to drag her to the couch, bend her over and hit her a number of times,” Judge Davison said.

The court heard the man also assaulted his second daughter by shoving her, causing her to hit a wall and pinching her nipple over her clothing for several seconds.

The court heard it was accepted this had no sexual connotations but the man was merely meaning to hurt her.

Victim impact statements were presented by the man’s daughters, with the first daughter saying panic attacks have now become a normal part of her life since the “hurtful and traumatic” assaults.

The man’s second daughter also detailed her anxiety, lack of self-confidence and her lack of trust in other people.

“Their mother echoed these sentiments and articulated an intense sense of guilt that she carries as a mother,” Judge Davison said.

The southern suburbs man, who works as a store manager, pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated assault.

“You do not proffer an excuse or an explanation for your conduct,” Judge Davison said.

“Your counsel submitted that you were short tempered, unhappy and stressed at the time of the offending.”

Judge Davison said the man’s offending was insidious in nature.

“Although you have presented to others as a hardworking, respectful man, in private you predated upon the vulnerability of your daughters and assaulted them over an extended period,” she said.

“You assaulted young children who were in no position to fight back, who were physically weaker than you and because of your position of authority, accepted your violent conduct.”

Judge Davison sentenced the man to three years jail, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

However, due to the man’s lack of criminal history and employment, the sentence was suspended on a three-year good behaviour bond.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.