Central Queensland businessman jailed for sexually abusing teen daughter

A Central Queensland business owner who used to work as a chef on the Sunshine Coast still sees himself as the victim after sexually abusing his daughter.

Generic image of teen girl

A Central Queensland business owner who used to work as a chef on the Sunshine Coast has been jailed for sexually abusing his own daughter.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, carried out the “wicked” acts when his child had fallen asleep in his bed after watching a movie, Crown prosecutor Monique Bros-Wilshire told Rockhampton District Court on October 31.

She said the pre-pubescent child woke to her father on top of her.

Judge Jeff Clarke said the defendant had taken the opportunity to offend against his own child “in the most wicked way”.

The court heard the child was confused and remained still during the traumatic, illegal and disgusting act.

The defendant left the room immediately afterwards and the child put her clothes back on and relocated to another room to sleep.

The offending came to police attention after the child threatened self harm and suicidal thoughts to school staff, and then why she had those thoughts.

“She’s had her life destroyed by doing what you did to her,” Judge Clarke said.

“(She) writes that she has developed depression and anxiety.

“She says that she doesn’t think the damage can be repaired.

“She thinks that the memories will haunt her for the rest of her life.

“She said that no one should have to experience this and that she feels like her life has been lost … that is a normal life.

“She confirms that she has tried to take her life on two occasions.

“She doesn’t think she’ll be able to have normal sexual relations or romantic relationships.”

Judge Clarke told the court girl’s mother said her daughter used to be an outgoing child who enjoyed other people’s company.

Now even today she has bedwetting nightmares.

“She’s not able to participate in activities to enjoy her life and she has noticed that her child has lost her sense of security and trust,” Judge Clarke said.

“Your former wife says that her world ended with that phone call when she found out what you’d done to her (daughter).”

Defence barrister Sean Franklin said his client had completed a chef’s apprenticeship on the Sunshine Coast and went on to work in the hospitality industry for many years.

He said after that, he owned a business in a different industry in Central Queensland which employed just under 30 people at its height of operation but suffered financial stress due to a large tax bill and closed.

Mr Franklin said his client now owned another business, which supplies a service to mines.

He said his client no longer has contact with the victim.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent treatment of a child, along with three breaches of bail, one of obstructing police, one of enter a dwelling (domestic violence offence) and two of breaching a domestic violence order.

Judge Clarke said the defendant was on parole, bail and subject to a suspended sentence at the time of offending.

He said the offender’s criminal history contained convictions for domestic violence, drugs, weapons and dishonesty.

“The past confirms your attitude as an entrenched perpetrator of domestic violence and … instructions you’ve provided to your lawyer certainly confirms that you see yourself as the victim in all this which is incredibly concerning given the length of your domestic violence history,” Judge Clarke said.

“Hopefully one day the penny will drop.”

“You have effectively destroyed the concept of what a father should be in a child’s life.”

Judge Clarke ordered the suspended sentences be activated in full.

He sentenced the defendant to two years and nine months prison for the offences he pleaded guilty to on October 31 to run concurrent with the activated suspended sentences.

Because he had already served 121 days in custody, he was eligible to apply for parole the next day — November 1.