North Queensland man jailed for 1978 abuse of niece

A North Queensland man has been locked up almost half a century after he committed vile offences against his teenage niece.

A North Queensland man has been locked up, almost half a century after he committed vile offences against his teenage niece.

The acts were so grave that Judge Paul Smith said there was no other option than to send the man – who is now in his 70s – to jail.

“You have to go to jail for this, it’s just too serious,” Judge Smith said.

Townsville District Court heard the man, who cannot be named, plead guilty to carnal knowledge, indecent treatment of girls under 17, and a charge of maintain sexual relations.

Each charge stemmed from an eight-month period in 1978, where the man – then aged 24 – repeatedly abused the girl, who was aged between 13 and 14.

The man was brought to court 48 years after the offending.

The court was told that while the girl was living under the man’s care, he would digitally penetrate the girl, have sexual intercourse with her multiple times per week, and expose himself to her.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Walklate said the man’s offending involved the “corruption” of the young girl – who even used contraception in an attempt to avoid pregnancy.

It was heard the man said he “loved” the girl, and at one point told her if she became pregnant they would “run away” together.

Mr Walklate said the girl had been “vulnerable”, and that the man only stopped offending when the pair were caught together by his wife.

It was heard the girl had not been believed when she reported the abuse to her own family, and did not make a statement to police until 2016.

The man was arrested and entered a plea of guilty to the charges in 2021.

Speaking of the woman’s victim impact statement, Mr Walklate said the woman saw her coming forward as an “act of bravery”.

Defence barrister Kelly Stone told the court of his client’s multiple health conditions, including heart failure, eye, and spinal problems, and that he required a walking frame to walk.

Mr Stone submitted his client had not offended since 1978, and that the man had not used violence, threats or coercion with the girl during the offending period.

Judge Paul Smith sentenced the man to four years jail.

His sentence will be suspended after serving 10 months, for a period of four years.

Originally published as North Queensland man jailed for 1978 abuse of niece