South Burnett man accused of molesting daughter’s 14yo foster child found not guilty on all charges

A South Burnett man accused of indecently touching his daughter’s 14-year-old foster child has learned his fate after a jury returned its verdict. Here’s what happened:

A South Burnett man accused of abusing his daughter’s 14-year-old foster child has been found not guilty by a jury.

The 54-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16 in the Kingaroy District Court.

The charges relate to alleged offences against a 14-year-old girl, who was in the care of the man’s daughter in 2020.

During the trial, the jury heard allegations he touched the teen’s breasts and slapped her bottom on three separate occasions across May and June.

The man’s daughter gave evidence on day one of the trial, telling the court she became aware of the alleged offending when her foster daughter pulled her aside and told her the man had “touched her on the arse”.

The woman also testified she had witnessed her father grab the teen’s breasts when she refused to give him a hug, saying he grabbed her from behind and cupped her breasts.

“His hands came around and she was standing stiff with her hands down beside her, and there was an expression on her face,” she said.

The Kingaroy court was told the alleged victim is no longer in the man’s daughter’s care.