Roma District Court: Father back in court after sexually abusing two daughters

A Maranoa father who was previously jailed for sexually assaulting his own daughter has landed back in court for the same offence, this time for offending against two of his young daughters. WARNING: Distressing details.

Sad girl on a sofa. Child. Generic image.

A Maranoa paedophile who re-offended against his own young daughters handed himself in to police after previously being convicted by a jury for the same offence.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in Roma District Court to four counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16.

Crown prosecutor Matt Le Grand said in November 2022 the defendant sexually abused his two young daughters aged six and 11 years old.

“He rubbed his penis on her leg and on another occasion he touched her bottom under her underwear twice,” Mr Le Grand said.

“With respect (to the other daughter) he placed his penis on her… for five seconds.”

Mr Le Grand said the defendant was previously sentenced to nine months jail without parole after a jury found him guilty of the same offence in 2018.

“Following his release from custody, (the defendant) was permitted to contact his children by visiting the home of his former partner, the mother of his children, on a daily basis,” the court was told.

“The offending amounts to the most egregious breach of trust.

“The repeated nature of the offending shows he poses a risk upon release.”

Despite the daughters telling the mother and teachers at school about the abuse, police didn’t have enough evidence to charge him until he came forward and made full admissions to police.

“His admissions really comprise the case against him. This case raises the principle of leniency,” Mr Le Grand said.

The defendant was charged and detained by police on December 7, 2022, where he remained for 315 days until his sentencing in the Roma District Court.

Roma Court House.

Defence barrister Jens Streit tended a psychological report to the court and described how his client also suffered from sexual abuse himself as a child.

“The Crown wouldn’t have case if not for the admissions of the defendant,” Mr Streit said.

“He needs assistance to manage his urges. That’s a recognition made by him.

“It would be open to your honour to order an eligibility date as of today. He would have to make an application to the parole board to prove he’s reformed and his risk of reoffending has been reduced.

“He very sadly was sexually abused when he was a young boy. He also was exposed at an early age to sexually deviant behaviour by others.”

Mr Streit said his client “feels extreme guilt” and that the psychologist report states if the defendant addresses his own child sexual trauma, it will reduce his chances of reoffending.

“He’s got a long way to go and that can be achieved by following relevant courses.”

Judge Ken Barlow said he acknowledged the defendant’s admissions to police and his early guilty plea.

“In 2018 you were convicted after a trial for the same offence against your eldest daughter who was at the time six years old,” the Judge said.

“You appear to be on good terms with the children’s mother, who allowed you to visit the children daily, notwithstanding your prior conviction, the children from what I can see… clearly love you.

“That (the defendant’s own child sexual trauma) according to the psychologist has likely affected your subconscious views of appropriate sexual behaviour between adults and young children,

“Although, you knew it was inappropriate, nevertheless you followed your urges to do what you did.”

Mr Barlow sentenced the defendant to two years’ jail for each count of indecent treatment of a child.

The 315 days of pre-sentence custody was declared time already served, with the defendant immediately eligible for parole.

All convictions were recorded.