Mary Valley man pleads guilty to molesting own daughter

A Qld’s dad’s horrific sexual offending against his own daughter was finally revealed when she ran away from home.

Generic image. Silhouette of a man (parent of) a sex abuse victim in an office. wrongly accused of touching young girl. Child sexual abuse. sex crime incest paedophilia.

A Mary Valley father who molested his own daughter before fleeing Queensland when she spoke up treated his sickening abuse of the young girl as “like a game”.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughter, started offending against the girl when she was just six years old, Gympie District Court heard.

He was in sole custody of the children at the time as their mother, who usually lived with them, was away being treated for mental-health problems.

His offending started by touching the girl’s chest, first over her shirt and then under it.

It later escalated to touching her crotch and making lewd comments.

A Mary Valley father who molested his own daughter before fleeing Queensland when she spoke up treated his sickening abuse of the young girl as “like a game”.

He also offered to take his daughter’s virginity, telling her she wanted someone “experienced” to do it.

His abuse left the girl feeling “unsafe” in the home, especially when she was showering or changing in her bedroom as she feared he was watching her.

He finally stopped when she turned 12 amid fears she would tell someone, the court heard.

She did one year later when she ran away from home at age 13 and revealed what had happened to a friend’s family.

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Police spoke with the man about the claims, which he denied before surrendering his dog to the RSPCA and fleeing interstate.

He was extradited back to Queensland about two years later.

Judge Bernard Porter said the man’s criminal history was fairly minor and largely irrelevant except for one “glaring” exception: A 1997 conviction for interfering with a pre-teen girl.

“Somewhat extraordinarily … you were convicted and sentenced to a community service order,” Judge Porter said.

The man pleaded guilty to maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child.

He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ jail with parole eligibility from August 31, 2025 owing to 420 days served in pre-sentence custody.