Lalor Park man given three year jail term for sexually assaulting his cousin
The Lalor Park man was given a three year jail sentence and an 18 month non-parole period.
Blacktown
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A convicted paedophile told the court he was “deeply” sorry for sexually assaulting his young cousin, who he was trusted to watch.
The 20-year-old Lalor Park man was sentenced to a three year jail sentence and a non-parole period of 18 months in Penrith District Court today for charges relating to the sexual assault of his first cousin over the period of three years.
The court heard that in October 2018 the defendant was charged with seven offences of a sexual or indecent assault in October 2017, all of which were against his cousin who was aged between 11 and 14 at the time of the offences.
He had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
The charges included two counts of having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 and inciting a person under the age of 16 to commit an act of indecency.
The court heard the incidents all took place at the defendant’s home, where the victim was often left alone with her cousin as their mothers are sisters and he was trusted to watch her.
The court also heard that the victim was inconsolable following the incidents and broke down when telling her mother.
During the sentencing the defendant took to the stand to address the court, during which he expressed remorse for his actions.
“I would like to deeply apologise for what I have done and I now realise that it was wrong and I hope it doesn’t hurt her too much,” he told the court.
“I hope my actions have not caused her too much distress and I hope she can get on with her life better.”
As part of the evidence presented to the court, a report was read out by the psychiatrist the defendant saw following his arrest.
The psychiatrist’s notes deemed that he was below to average intelligence and his actions were “driven by his sexual frustration”.
The notes said the defendant thought at the time that his cousin, who is five years younger than him, was “in to it” and that the encounters were mutual.
When handing down his sentence, Magistrate Stephen Hanley said he had taken into account the prospects for rehabilitation and the defendant’s immaturity at the time of the incidents.
However, he said he had taken into account the objective seriousness of the incidents and the extensive time period over which they occurred.
A sentence of three years in jail, with a non-parole period of 18 months was handed down.