Mackay region man who sexually assaulted his niece at Pioneer Valley property avoids jail

A magistrate said while it was clear the man’s conduct had ‘significantly and detrimentally’ impacted his niece’s life, he had also shown ‘genuine remorse’.

A Mackay region man who expressed “genuine remorse” after sexually assaulting his niece has avoided jail.​

A Mackay region man who expressed “genuine remorse” after sexually assaulting his niece has avoided jail.

The incident occurred while the young woman was working at the man’s Pioneer Valley property after he had loaned her money and she could not pay him back.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard after they finished work, the two drank a 1.2L bottle of rum, a litre of port and multiple shots of liqueur.

During a night in February 2021, the man — who cannot be named as it would identify the woman — groped her chest over her clothing.

The court heard he had gone into a room where she was lying in bed when the incident occurred.

He pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

The court heard a victim impact statement from the niece stated her life had changed “mentally, physically, emotionally and financially” after the incident.

Acting Magistrate Athol Kennedy said it was clear the man’s conduct had “significantly and detrimentally” impacted his niece’s life.

The court heard the man had written a letter of apology to his victim.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the letter of apology together with the early plea indicate genuine remorse,” Mr Kennedy said.

“You’ve lost the trust of a young woman who you saw regularly …

“On the day in question it is clear you both drank too much.”

Defence solicitor Antoinette Morton, of Fisher Dore Lawyers, said her client had experienced loneliness and isolation after his adult children became more independent, which resulted in him binge drinking.

The court heard the man had visited a GP and received a mental health plan.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended immediately for 18 months.