Bellbird Park tradie Cory Parker pleads guilty to indecent treatment of girl

A tradesman has been jailed for a vile act against a girl at an Ipswich region party, leaving her to tell a court the trauma had ‘destroyed her’.

Ipswich courthouse. Picture: Supplied

A middle-aged Bellbird Park tradesman’s disgusting act against a girl at a party has been revealed in court.

Cory Parker, 44, pleaded guilty in the Ipswich District Court on Monday to one count of indecent treatment of a child under 12 years old.

Parker was arraigned on May 31.

The court heard Parker was at a party in the Ipswich region where the young victim was present.

The incident occurred after 5pm when most others had already left the party.

Crown prosecutors told the court Parker had another girl on his lap near a table when the victim came towards them to change the song playing over the speakers.

The court heard Parker reached under the table and touched the young girl inappropriately on the outside of her clothes.

The court heard the girl had seen Parker’s hand and told him to stop.

Tradesman Cory Parker, 44, of the Ipswich suburb of Bellbird Park leaving Ipswich Courthouse after pleading guilty to a charge of indecent treatment of children. Picture: Georgie Walker

The girl then confided in her mother the same night, and the police were alerted the next day.

The girl provided an emotional victim impact statement saying the incident had “destroyed” her sense of self.

“My parents lost a little girl ... my brother lost his confident sister,” the victim said.

“I became depressed and anxious … I bottled my feelings up and became suicidal.

“In public, my body begins to shake … (I have so much anxiety) I don’t talk at all.”

The victim told the court she could not sleep without the light on because she was terrified he was in her room, and she often woke up screaming and crying.

“I lost myself.

“I can’t be by myself (in public) because he destroyed my confidence.

“I am stronger now to know it’s not my fault.”

Ipswich courthouse. Picture: David Nielsen

Judge Dennis Lynch said the conduct was severe, and Parker had taken advantage of a child’s vulnerability.

“It should be emphasised that it was not her fault,” Judge Lynch said.

“It was your fault, and your conduct was, quite frankly, taking advantage of a young child is appalling.”

The court heard Parker had unrelated drug and traffic offences in New South Wales and Queensland and no prior history of offending against children.

The court heard Parker was on disability support and worked as a concreter.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years with a conviction recorded.