Riley Colin Carkeet in court for breaching intensive correction order

There were tears in the Gympie court when a 21-year-old man was convicted of breaching an intensive corrections order imposed after he had unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16.

There were tears in the Gympie District Court as a 21-year-old man narrowly escaped jail time for not reporting contact with a child.

Riley Colin Carkeet faced court on Monday, September 12, 2022, for breaching an intensive corrections order given in 2021 after he was convicted of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16.

As part of that order Carkeet was required to report to the Child Protection Offending Registry if any girls under the age of 18 were living at his residence.

Less than six months later, Carkeet failed to do just that on March 5, 2022.

The court heard on Monday that a 16-year-old girl attended a party at Carkeet’s house during the Gympie 2022 floods, having no support from her own parents at the time. Her stay became permanent.

Defence counsel Nathan Turner confirmed with his client that Carkeet did not have a relationship with the girl.

Crown prosecutor Victoria Adams told the court authorities described Carkeet as “reluctant to engage” and his psychologist noted he had an “elevated risk of reoffending” and was disengaged with Headspace.

Riley Colin Carkeet appeared in Gympie District Court on September 12, 2022. Picture: social media.

Carkeet was previously given community service and completed 16-20 days at the Salvation Army and the Mary Valley Rattler, the court heard.

He had a total of 11 absences from his community service, including absences without excuse, the court heard. It came to a point where there were no more projects left to assign him to complete his hours.

“What on Earth was he thinking?” Judge Porter said.

“There comes a time, even when you’re 21, where stupidity on stupidity and failing to comply with the court law piling on failing to comply with the law means you’ll end up in jail.

“Given this man’s history, he knew he’d be in big trouble.”

Riley Colin Carkeet was previously convicted of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16.

Mr Turner told the court Carkeet’s family said their son had become a “withdrawn individual” who remained “reclusive” in his family home.

Judge Porter responded that Carkeet was “not so reclusive as to make contact with this 16-year-old girl and move in with her”.

“It seems to me that you didn’t report because you knew that would get you in a lot of trouble.

“It was discovered and you are in a lot of trouble.”

Judge Porter sentenced Carkeet to eight months jail with immediate parole on the condition he “enthusiastically” report to his parole officer.

“You know what happens when you slip up on parole,” Judge Porter said.

A sigh of relief echoed in the courtroom from Carkeet’s three supporters when his sentence was revealed.

His mother cried as she hugged her son.