Southern suburbs father jailed for ‘appalling betrayal’, sexual abuse of young daughter

A depraved father who documented the abuse he inflicted on his own very young daughter initially tried to justify his abhorrent offending, a court has heard.

A depraved pedophile father tried to justify abusing his young daughter – from when she was as young as 15 months old – by telling himself she was “too young to remember it”.

Police investigating the father’s possible possession of child abuse material last year discovered photographs of him abusing his young daughter over a number of years, until she was about six years old.

In sentencing, District Court Judge Simon Stretton said the father, who cannot be identified, had “developed an interest in voyeurism and child exploitation material over time” before offending against his daughter.

“You say you initially tried to justify the offending against your daughter yourself by telling yourself she was too young to be able to remember it,” he said.

“But there are significant elements of denial involved in that, in the court’s opinion.

The father was originally arrested for possession of child exploitation material before pictures of the offending against his daughter were found by police.

“Your offending against your daughter was an appalling betrayal of trust by the parent to whom that child should have been able to look for support and protection.”

Judge Stretton said police found the material during an analysis of the father’s phone and computer after earlier arresting him for possession of child exploitation material.

Police also discovered he had indecently filmed another young woman.

The father pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including charges of aggravated producing child exploitation material and persistent exploitation of a child.

“It is an understatement to say that this is extremely serious offending,” Judge Stretton said.

“That you would perform these acts on your own biological daughter and photograph them can only be described as appalling behaviour on your behalf.

“One can only imagine the shock, horror and betrayal of trust that your conduct must have caused.

“Who knows what ongoing trauma and damage will be visited on them, particularly your daughter, for the rest of (her life).”

Judge Stretton said the father had been diagnosed with pedophilic disorder, voyeuristic disorder and persistent depressive disorder.

“You are going to require ongoing supervision and psychotherapy, possibly for the rest of your life, to ensure that you manage your inherent deviant sexual impulses and mental health issues,” he said.

He said the father had “taken a number of steps to address his behaviour” and had “expressed willingness to control” his sexual urges with professional help.

Judge Stretton said the father had told a forensic psychologist he was relieved by his arrest because he would be able to get the help he needed.

He said the father had shown genuine remorse and contrition which was “underpinned by shame and guilt and growing insight into the harm” his actions had caused.

The father had pleaded guilty very early, before police had served evidence, and had not sought bail since his arrest.

After a discount for his plea, co-operation with police, remorse and rehabilitation efforts, Judge Stretton imposed a head sentence of nine years and nine months. He set a non-parole period of seven years and nine months.