Adam Ledgerwood: Central Coast disability support carer sentenced over sex with client

A Central Coast disability support carer, who claimed he wasn’t aware that having sex with his client was wrong, has been sentenced to jail.

A Central Coast disability support carer who had sex with his client has been jailed for a minimum of three and a half years.

Adam Ledgerwood, 43, was sentenced at the Sydney Downing Centre on Thursday after pleading guilty to three charges of sexual intercourse with a person with a cognitive impairment while he was employed by an in-home disability support service in 2019.

Judge Justin Smith SC sentenced Mr Ledgerwood to six years jail with a non parole period of three years and six months.

Judge Smith said while the father of two showed remorse and had good prospects of rehabilitation, he took into account general and specific deterrence for carers to be aware of the serious consequences of offending.

Adam Ledgerwood has been jailed for having sex with a client with a cognitive impairment. Picture: Sue Graham

He also said he did not accept Mr Ledgerwood’s claims that he was unaware at the time that his actions were criminally and morally wrong.

“The aggravating factors are that the offender used an emotional connection to lead to a physical one,” he said.

“There was no question here that the victim was under the care of the offender at all relevant times … she was under his authority.”

Mr Ledgerwood gave evidence at a sentencing hearing in October, telling the court that he didn’t realise his actions were criminal at the time and thought it was more morally wrong that he had sex with another woman when he was married and had children.

Mr Ledgerwood was employed to help the woman out with shopping, cooking and take her to appointments.

However he said he had since “done a 180” and “can’t apologise enough.”

The court heard Mr Ledgerwood engaged in a sexual relationship with his client while he was employed as her support worker.

Judge Smith read from an agreed set of facts which stated that the victim suffered a cognitive impairment which had deteriorated to the point where she was deemed “totally disabled”.

Mr Ledgerwood was hired to take her shopping and to medical appointments, help prepare meals and do household chores three days a week for four hour shifts.

The court heard they had a friendly relationship and would joke around together.

The facts state that Mr Ledgerwood was working at the victim’s home in 2019 when she complained of a sore back. He gave her a massage and then “placed his hand on the complainant’s [genitalia] on top of her clothing”.

She said, “What are you doing? This is going to ruin everything … you have got a wife and two little kids”.

Mr Ledgerwood pleaded guilty at an earlier appearance in Gosford Local Court. Picture: Sue Graham

He replied, “so long as you keep it between us”.

They went to the bedroom where Mr Ledgerwood removed the victim’s pants, took off his clothes and performed cunnilingus on her.

The next time Mr Ledgerwood was at her house, she said “this can never, ever happen again”. He replied that they could either be friends or she could be his “f**k” buddy.

A later text message exchange between Mr Ledgerwood and the victim heard the victim saying she wanted to lose a few kilograms.

“I will help you work it off, sweat it out of you,” Mr Ledgerwood texted.

The victim replied “lol … I like the sound of that, what on the (location) or elsewhere” to which he replied “Your choice. I work for you remember. What can I say, I love my job”.

On another occasion while he was working, Mr Ledgerwood had sexual intercourse with the victim who experienced pain the next day due to his penis piercing. She texted Mr Ledgerwood who apologised.

Mr Ledgerwood was sentenced at the Sydney Downing Centre. Picture: Nikki Short

A week later, the victim confided in a support worker and her mum and told Mr Ledgerwood that she no longer needed his services.

He apologised to her and said “I am sorry that I was unable to say no. I hope you understand that I was not trying to take advantage of you in any way whatsoever”.

“I hope that there is enough forgiveness in your heart and your mum’s to not let this situation get leaked to the wrong people”.

When Mr Ledgerwood was arrested, he told police that his relationship with the victim was “not sexual” and that the victim insinuated she wanted to have sex with him.

Judge Smith said he could not accept that Mr Ledgerwood was not aware that sexual intercourse with clients was a criminal offence at the time and pointed to his last text messages to the victim asking for forgiveness.

“I am confident he knew what he was doing was wrong,” he said.

Mr Ledgerwood will be eligible for parole in May 2025. Picture: Sue Graham

However Judge Smith said he accepted that Mr Ledgerwood was now aware his actions were “highly morally wrong”.

He also pointed out Mr Ledgerwood’s lack of training as a contract disability carer with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and said anyone in a position of authority should be “suitably vetted and hold appropriate qualifications”.

Judge Smith’s sentence included a 25 per cent discount for an early guilty plea and a finding of special circumstances as it will be Mr Ledgerwood’s first time in prison.

He will be eligible for parole in May 2025.