A Cairns man in his 60s has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against his foster child

A foster carer who repeatedly sexually abused a nine-year old girl in his care in the Cairns area has been jailed for six years.

A foster carer who pleaded guilty to the rape and indecent treatment of a young child in his care has been sentenced to six years jail.

A Cairns foster carer who sexually abused a nine-year-old girl in his care over a period of five months has been jailed for six years.

Cairns District Court Judge Joshua Trevino KC described the crime as “heinous” and said the man’s actions were a “gross and egregious” breach of trust.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his young victim, was in his 60s at the time the offence was committed, the court was told.

The man pleaded guilty to repeated sexual conduct with a child, rape, and indecent treatment of a child under 12 years of age in his care.

Judge Joshua Trevino described sexual crimes against foster children by their carers as “heinous”.

Judge Trevino sentenced him to six years imprisonment, taking into account his guilty plea and “lack of criminal history”.

Judge Trevino said deterrence was a primary concern in the sentence of “offenders who commit such heinous crimes against vulnerable children”.

The court was told the man was abusing the girl several times a week over a five-month period between August 2023 and December 2023, and was arrested on Boxing Day after the allegations were reported to the police.

The man was taken into custody in December 2023, and pleaded guilty yesterday to three child sexual offences.

“As a foster parent, you’ve been afforded the trust and care of a particularly vulnerable child,” Judge Trevino said.

“Deterrence looms large as the primary sentencing motivation.

“A sentence under six years would not be appropriate and would not pay sufficient regard to your egregious breach of trust and the aggravating factor that this was domestic violence offending.”

Judge Trevino said the child was manipulated emotionally, but not threatened with violence. The court was told the rape of the child was not sexual intercourse.

Judge Trevino set a parole eligibility date of December 26, 2025, which takes into account the 504 days he had served in pre-sentence custody.

Originally published as A Cairns man in his 60s has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against his foster child