Edward Francis Graveur, 64, ordered by Court of Appeal to pay triple amount of criminal compensation to boy he molested

QUEENSLAND'S highest court has tripled the amount of criminal compensation granted to one of four boys molested by a notorious pedophile.

QUEENSLAND'S highest court has tripled the amount of criminal compensation granted to one of four boys molested by a notorious pedophile.

The Court of Appeal in Brisbane this week ordered Edward Francis Graveur, 64, pay his victim, identifiable only as JS, the maximum amount of compensation allowed for horrific sex abuse committed more than seven years ago.

The boy was awarded only $25,500 compensation by a District Court judge in December last year, but the Court of Appeal this week increased that order to one of $75,000.

Graveur, then aged 57, was jailed for 12 years in May 2005 sexually abusing four young boys and distributing their images via the Internet.

Graveur pleaded guilty to 10 charges of indecent dealing and maintaining sexual relationships with the boys, then aged under 16, and for taking and distributing indecent photos of boys.

The Court of Appeal, in a just published 10-page written decision, granted JS's litigation guardian, "JT", leave to appeal the amount of criminal compensation granted and substituted it with an order of $75,000.

The court, comprising Justices John Muir, Hugh Fraser and Robert Gotterson, said it was impossible to comprehend a worse case of abuse and that it was appropriate to award JS the maximum amount allowed under the Queensland Criminal Offence Victims Act 1995.

Justice Muir said: "The primary judge's finding that ... one can not imagine a case involving worse abuse than this, nor a more significant serious deleterious effect upon a young man's future life ... was not contested (by Graveur or the Queensland Attorney-Gerneral).''

"The evidence amply supported the finding.

"It was conceded (by Graveur and the A-G), that if the applicant (JS) succeeded in his appeal it was appropriate that the prescribed maximum payment under the Act of $75,000 be ordered.''

Justices Fraser and Gotterson agreed with Justice Muir’s reasons.

The court was told the boy, now aged 15, has been diagnosed with an Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

A psychiatric report, tendered to the court, revealed there was a possibility JS could himself demonstrate "disturbed sexual behaviour in the future.''

"(JS's) ability to adequately function as an individual in all aspects of his adult life has been severely affected due to his exposure to prolonged sexual abuse,'' one psychiatric report said.

Under Queensland law the compensation awarded by the boy will be held in trust, but can be used for treatment or other essential needs, until the boy turns 18.