Former Scouts leader, NT truckie Darren Vuolanne jailed for horrific child sex crimes

Stoic victims of a disgraced Scouts leader have admonished his monstrous conduct as a judge sentenced him to at least a decade behind bars. WARNING: Graphic content

Darren Vuolanne learnt his fate in Wollongong District Court on Wednesday.

A former Scouts leader has been blasted as a “paedophile” during a powerful victim impact statement as the sex criminal was jailed until at least 2031.

Darren Vuolanne, 52, learnt his fate in Wollongong District Court two months on from being found guilty of 11 child sex charges relating to four female victims aged eight to 15 between 1996 and 2001.

The Windang man had been associated with Scouts before becoming a truck driver, a career which saw him based in Alice Springs in 2019.

“You took my best friend and my childhood, but I got her back,” the woman said defiantly, speaking directly to Vuolanne who sat motionless and slumped in a chair in prison.

“We got justice, you were found guilty and the truth is out now. We did this so our children could grow up with one less paedophile in the world.”

Judge Megan Latham described Vuolanne’s exploitation as “deliberate and systematic” and noted “he continues to deny the offences” as she sentenced him to 16 years behind bars.

The 52-year-old was handed a 10-year non-parole period as a supporter of the victims scolded; “Every dog has its day you piece of s**t”.

Darren Vuolanne was sentenced to at least 10 years jail for multiple child sex crimes. Picture: Facebook

The trial heard one of the victims was raped between 15 and 20 times by Vuolanne with the court hearing he had “control” over her and “touched me whenever he felt like it”.

The court heard a discreet audio recording of the woman confronting Vuolanne about 20 years on from the offending where she told him: “You took my virginity”.

Vuolanne could be heard in the recording apologising and saying “If I could go back 20 years I would take it all back”.

The offending also included kissing the minors on the lips, putting his hand down their underpants and fondling their nipples.

Another victim, who had captured the discreet audio, told the court she could not remember her life “before Darren Vuolanne started sexually abusing me”.

“I was robbed of my childhood because of the sickening actions of the man before you today,” she said.

“He manipulated me and he groomed me … I struggle to feel affection, even a hug can be too much to handle.

“My path ahead will be long and difficult and I want the person responsible to be held accountable for his actions.”

The full sentence expires in September, 2037.

A Scouts NSW spokesperson said their "thoughts go out" to Voulanne's victims.

A spokesperson for Scouts NSW were “unaware of any complaints being made” to the organisation in the period he was a member of the Scouts.

However, they said their “thoughts go out to all” of Vuolanne’s victims, adding there was “zero-tolerance” of abuse within Scouts NSW.

“Our aim is to create a safe and secure environment where every young person understands they have a right to feel safe,” the Scouts NSW spokesperson said.

“We ensure that every adult and child in Scouts NSW is familiar with our Youth Protection Policy and Procedure that makes it mandatory for all adult leaders to be thoroughly screened, be subject to a National Police Check, and hold a valid, verified Working with Children Check.

“Adult Leaders receive comprehensive, ongoing training across a range of subjects including youth protection at least two adults are present at all meetings and events with a young person.”