SA sex offender Beau Seeby who assaulted girl in a toilet block could be free in 17 months’ time

A sex offender who preyed on a girl, 8, has been denied his 30 per cent sentencing discount – but he’ll still qualify to seek parole in just 17 months’ time.

Beau Seeby pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl. Picture: Facebook.

A “callous and egocentric” sex offender who assaulted a vulnerable girl, 8, in a toilet block while holding her by the neck could be free from jail in 17 months’ time.

On Tuesday, the District Court told Beau Seeby he did not deserve the full 30 per cent discount for confessing to his “invidious” crime.

Judge Adam Kimber said Seeby’s “very serious example” of child sex crime warranted a minimum 2 1/2-year prison term.

With time already served, however, he will be eligible to seek release on parole in April 2022.

“Your conduct was both brazen and depraved... your victim was particularly vulnerable,” Judge Kimber said.

“It was driven by your callousness, poor empathy and eccentricity... there’s a very strong need for personal deterrence (given) the invidious impact of offending like yours.

“The full 30 per cent discount is not appropriate... (granting it) may affect public confidence in the administration of justice.”

Seeby, 24, of Berri, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated indecent assault – earning up to 30 per cent off his maximum 10-year prison term.

On October 6, 2019, he followed the girl into the toilets of a Riverland community club and, while holding her by the neck, sexually assaulted her.

Seeby’s counsel asked the court to extend leniency, but prosecutors said he has a prior history of sexually assaulting children. Picture: Facebook.

Seeby was the first sex offender to lose his anonymity as a result of The Advertiser’s campaign to change SA suppression laws.

Last month, his counsel told the court Seeby felt “hopeless and alone”, labelling his crime “a cry for help”.

Prosecutors, however, said Seeby had already been shown mercy for sex offending, having escaped a conviction and receiving a bond for a prior crime against a child.

In sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Kimber said Seeby’s other victim was seven years old at the time of that crime.

He said he could not accept Seeby’s claimed motive for his latest offence.

“I’m unable to find your conduct was some sort of cry for help – that you initially denied the offending is inconsistent with that,” he said.

He said the girl and her family had been forever changed by the crime, and that the full effect upon her would not be known for many years.

“She still feels afraid... you have interfered with her ability to feel safe and interact with others in the way children should be able to do,” he said.

Judge Kimber noted Seeby’s “sad” personal circumstances, but said neither they nor his history of drug abuse warranted mercy.

He jailed him for four years and backdated his non-parole period to his arrest in October 2019.