Peter Lang sentenced for ‘exploitative’ relationship with 13-year-old girl

Former Sunshine Coast radio personality and Australia Zoo marketing manager Peter Lang has been sent to prison for historic child sex offences involving a 13-year-old girl in the 1980s.

Peter Lang leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A former Sunshine Coast radio personality and Australia Zoo marketing manager has been sentenced to prison for nine historic child sex offences involving a 13-year-old girl in the 1980s.

In May, a jury found Lang guilty of five charges including two indecent treatment of a child and three carnal knowledge of a child under 16.

On four of the charges the jury were discharged after they were unable to reach a majority verdict.

However, on Monday, Lang, 66, pleaded guilty to the four charges, three carnal knowledge with a child under 16 and one count of indecent treatment of a girl under 14.

The court heard Lang, then 29, met up with a 13-year-old girl after she called the Nambour radio station 4SS, where he worked as a presenter, to request a song.

Lang and the girl then met at the grounds of a local primary school where they had sex on multiple occasions, the first occasion only days after her 13th birthday.

The court was told Lang distanced himself from the girl after she told him her mother caught her sneaking back inside after one of their meetings.

Peter Lang leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Outside of court, the victim described the elaborate police operation that led to Lang being charged in 2021, explaining how officers wired her with a recording device and arranged a meeting with Lang under the pretence of having a conversation.

She recalled that undercover officers were stationed nearby, and she was instructed to use specific key words if the situation turned dangerous.

She said she told Lang she wanted to turn off her phone and placed it on the table, at which point he appeared to relax and began discussing the events with her.

According to her, the secret recording was pivotal in enabling the charges to be laid.
She also credited the police and the investigating officer for the support they provided throughout the process.

On Monday, during sentencing submissions, Lang’s victim gave her impact statement, detailing the pain she had carried throughout her life.

“I was not physically or emotionally prepared for sexual activity. This premature exposure to an adult world forced me to change,” she said.

“Emotionally I was not equipped to handle these intense emotions and trauma that accompanied the abuse.

“Physically I was underprepared for the invasion of my body and a violation of my boundaries.”

She explained that the effects of the abuse caused a breakdown in her relationship with her father before his passing, something she said she would never forgive Lang for.

Peter Lang leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The court was told after Lang was initially arrested and 42 spent days in prison, he came out “a broken man” with PTSD.

After being released, another woman came forward with similar allegations, and Lang attempted to take his own life.

He was ultimately found not guilty to all charges related to the second complainant.

Lang eventually moved in with family and took a job at a caravan park, where his responsibilities included cleaning toilets.

Described as having become “reclusive,” his new lifestyle was a stark contrast to his former prominence as a radio star and his managerial role at Australia Zoo.

During sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Glen Cash said Lang “knew she was a schoolgirl”.

“What you did was immoral and exploitative,” Judge Cash said.

Judge Cash outlined his sentencing decision, considering several factors, including Lang’s age, remorse, good character, and clean criminal history both before and after the offences.

He also took into account Lang’s mental health condition, specifically PTSD, and the time he had already served in custody.

Judge Cash noted that Lang was assessed as having a low risk of reoffending.

Lang was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the term to be suspended after serving six months, taking into account time already served.

After sentencing, Lang's victim said she was “relieved” and “elated” that he received a custodial sentence.

“I feel overwhelmed … it just proves now that justice delayed isn’t justice denied,” she said.

“He’s behind bars where he should be.

“I encourage other victims to come forward because the guilt and shame and the awfulness that I had been feeling for 33 years has gone to him, it belongs to him.”