Victim slams Correctional Services boss Stewart Ian Berry’s sexual abuse sentence

This child abuser will serve less prison time than his crimes took to commit.

For seven years, the man known as “Damien” suffered in silence and secrecy as he was groomed and sexually abused by Correctional Services boss Stewart Iain Berry.

So complete was Berry’s arrogance that, when he was finally arrested, Damien was one of the first to know – because the abuser gave his name to defence lawyers when police needed to access their client’s home.

The text message received by Stewart Iain Berry's victim, "Damien", from his lawyers following his arrest. Picture: Supplied

On Wednesday, Damien expected his long ordeal to end – only to storm out of the District Court in disgust as Berry was jailed for just over six years.

Berry will be eligible for parole in less than five years’ time, and Damien said that showed “the justice system is weak”.

“Four years and 11 months for offending that has changed my life forever? I couldn’t sit there and hear that when I’ve got the rest of my life impacted and he’s going to be back on the streets in less than five years,” he said.

“It’s absolutely pathetic, it’s appalling, it’s more than disgusting … the offending lasted longer than the sentence … it’s atrocious and f---ing disgusting.”

Berry, 39, pleaded guilty to producing child exploitation material, sexually abusing a child and inciting or procuring a child to commit an indecent act.

Stewart Iain Berry. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Emma Brasier

Berry and his ex-husband Mathew Campbell – who has been jailed for producing child exploitation material – on their wedding day. Picture: Supplied.

He is the final member of an online pedophile syndicate, led by HIV-positive predator Jadd William Brooker and busted by SA’s elite Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, to be sentenced.

Berry’s ex-husband, Matthew Campbell – who was not part of the syndicate – is serving a 17-month minimum term for producing 66 child exploitation videos.

In his victim impact statement, Damien told Berry and Campbell they were “gutless f***ing cowards” who he would hate “until the day I am dead”.

Damien, right, and his mother Celeste, left, outside the District Court. Picture: Dean Martin

Just minutes before his sentencing on Wednesday, Berry made one last attempt to mitigate his offending by handing the court an 11th-hour psychological report.

In it, he said his abuse of Damien was an “inappropriate relationship” borne of the “isolation” and “un-met needs” in his marriage to Campbell.

Judge Jane Schammer, however, dubbed that “very self-serving” and “in contradiction” with Berry’s guilty pleas.

She said the only option was jail – even if that meant exposing Berry to the inmates he was once charged with overseeing.

“I’m concerned you have not fully taken responsibly nor ownership of the offending and have downplayed and shifted the blame onto others,” she said.

“You and you solely are responsible for your offending … (your attitude) speaks poorly to your remorse, contrition and prospects for rehabilitation.”

Outside court, Damien said he did not feel any of Berry’s actions showed remorse.

“Not even once has there been an apology, which just shows he’s an absolute f---ing pig, honestly … there’s not much more to say,” he said.

“A position of authority doesn’t change that – you are what you are, pigs are going to be pigs.”