Man pleads guilty to watching, filming and touching 12-year-old girl

A court has heard how a Sunshine Coast man touched his stepdaughter inappropriately and filmed her in the bathroom 10 years ago.

A court has heard how a man indecently treated his 12-year-old stepdaughter. Photo: generic

A Sunshine Coast man had his vile acts against his young stepdaughter revealed in court after he pleaded guilty to the historic offences.

The man - who cannot be named for legal reasons - remained quiet in the dock at Maroochydore District Court when he was sentenced for three counts of indecent treatment of a child in his care (domestic violence offence).

The court heard the offences occurred about 10 years ago when the man was living with his 12-year-old stepdaughter and her mother.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks told the court the first incident involved the young girl showering in an ensuite bathroom, to find the man peering at her through the bathroom window.

Ms Marks said the girl felt uncomfortable and turned around to face away from the man.

Her mother was not home at the time.

The court was told the girl hid inside her wardrobe after her shower and did not come out until her mother came home, to whom she explained what happened.

Ms Marks said the girl did not shower in the ensuite again, instead opting for the main bathroom which had a higher security window.

The window did not deter the man, for the girl saw him peeking at her again not long after the first incident.

The court was told the girl hung towels over the shower to hide herself from the man’s eyes.

Ms Marks described the final incident to have “escalated in conduct”.

The man appeared from custody in Maroochydore District Court. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The court was told the girl was lying in the living room watching TV the same day she got her first period.

Ms Marks said the man touched the girl’s legs and moved up to touch her inappropriately inside her underwear.

The offending continued for about 30-60 seconds before the girl turned around.

The incidents did not resurface until the Department of Child Safety spoke to the girl in 2021 in relation to the man.

An arrest warrant was issued in 2021, but he was not found until 2022.

Ms Marks said the man admitted to police he was not only watching but also filming the girl in the shower at the time, but he denied touching the girl inappropriately.

Defence barrister Thomas Zwoerner said his client had been taking multiple substances at the time, including meth and cocaine, due to his relationship breaking down.

It is likely the offences against the 12-year-old girl related to his substance abuse, Mr Zwoerner told the court.

The man was subject to bullying and sexual and verbal abuse as a child, but had grown up to become a “jack of all trades”. working in construction, roofing, and machinery.

Judge Paul Smith said there was a serious risk of the man being deported to New Zealand.

“It is likely your offending significantly affected this complainant,” Judge Smith said.

He sentenced the man to 399 days’ imprisonment with all 399 days in pre-sentence custody declared as time served.