Child molester ‘embarrassed by charge’ for heinous act

A child molester has been jailed for a “heinous” act on a little girl who was later cross-examined in court.

Mathew James Ronald Brooks, 30, has been jailed for touching a little girl.

A child molester has been jailed for a "heinous" act on a little girl who was later cross-examined in court.

Mathew James Ronald Brooks, 30, was on Thursday found guilty of touching the girl's vagina on the Sunshine Coast.

Brooks was not related to the girl, who was under the age of 12.

Crown prosecutor Will Slack told Maroochydore District Court the offending was opportunistic.

"He touched the complainant's vagina, skin-on-skin, removed his hand, licked his finger and returned it," Mr Slack said.

"The incident lasted for about a minute."

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Brooks had pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent treatment of a child under 12.

The court on Thursday heard that the girl was cross-examined in court by defence barrister Mark Dixon.

The girl told Mr Dixon she could not remember some specific details surrounding her interaction with Brooks, including whether she watched Brooks walk into the room she was in.

"Can I suggest this, that you don't remember a lot of these things because you are making up a story," Mr Dixon told the girl.

"I'm not making up a story," the girl replied.

After a three-day-trial, a jury on Thursday found Brooks guilty of the indecent treatment of a child under 12.

The court heard he had an indecent act on his South Australia criminal history for masturbating outside an aged care home in 2008.

Mr Dixon said Brooks at that time had fallen in with a bad crowd who regularly used drugs.

"He instructs that the offence and the consequences for it were a wake up call for him," Mr Dixon said.

He said Brooks witnessed violence and drug use in his childhood which led him to leave home at the age of 16.

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Mr Dixon said Brooks had bettered his life by obtaining several qualifications including certificates in surface extraction operations.

He said Brooks was a "loving and loyal" father.

"He has, at a minimum, expressed embarrassment about the charge and it has taken a toll on him as a person," Mr Dixon said.

Judge Michael Byrnes read victim impact statements and said Brooks's "heinous" offence had a considerable effect on the girl.

"I hope, but I do not know, the child will ever completely forget what occurred and I'm sure her mother never will," Mr Byrnes said.

"Hardship will be caused to your family from the sentence I'm about to impose.

"There can be no avoiding that because this offence is abhorrent to right-minded people."

Brooks showed little emotion as he was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended after serving six months.

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