Kennith James Roberts pleads guilty to indecent treatment of a child

He was once an indigenous dance troupe member in Sydney who played cricket matches with police. Now, he’s been exposed as a child molester.

A Bundaberg court has heard how a former dancer was drunk when he touched a seven-year-old girl on the genitals twice.

On March 28, 2022, the Bundaberg District Court heard the details of Kennith James Roberts’ offending after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, under 12.

It heard that during the offending, Roberts told the girl to put her legs near his, which she refused.

He then touched her inappropriately.

Crown prosecutor Carla Ahern said it had been opportunistic offending that had left the child feeling scared.

Defence barrister Simone Bain told the court Roberts, 60, had been “very intoxicated” at the time.

She said her client had been a former indigenous dance troupe member in Sydney and was now a disability pensioner with some mental health issues.

Ms Bain said Roberts had previously participated in Naidoc Week cricket matches with police.

“He says that he is an honest and decent bloke,” she said.

Judge Nathan Jarro expressed the abhorrent nature of Roberts’ offending and sentenced him to nine months’ jail, suspended for 18 months.

Two days of pre-sentence custody was declared and convictions were recorded.