Drew Monreax: Sex offender walks free 11 days after court

A family is in disbelief after the man who sexually abused their son as a six-year-old walked free 11 days after learning his fate in court. They fear the repeat child sex offender could strike again.

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A man who was sexually abused by his babysitter in Newtown in the 1990s has been left in shock after his attacker was released from jail just 11 days after being sentenced.

The victim, who cannot be named, was assaulted as a six-year-old boy by convicted paedophile Drew Monreax who told him: “what you did is a really bad thing. If you tell anyone you will get into a lot of trouble”.

Newtown detectives, some of whom are pictured here, cracked the case on a fluke chance the incident matched similar ones.

He had pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent assault.

The man’s family are speaking out after Monreax, known in 1992 as Andrew Charles Austin, was released from prison less than a fortnight after learning his fate in court.

His quick route to freedom came because he spent a year on remand in custody, which was treated as time served.

The victim and his family fear Monreax could strike again, given he has previous convictions for molesting three young boys from the same family in 2002.

They are hoping any other victims of sexual offences come forward.

“Our family has spent the last week feeling completely betrayed by a system that is meant to protect us and the community,” the man’s mother said.

“I felt that my son, his case, his childhood and the feelings he has endured were treated as completely.

Newtown detectives were able to lay charges more than 20 years after the boy was assaulted.

“It is very upsetting to know that while every member of our immediate family is right now feeling depressed, beyond disappointed, anxious and outraged the offender probably can’t believe his luck.”

Monreax, who was arrested while working at David Jones in the Sydney CBD last year, plans to return to his job, the court was told.

A psychologist’s report on Monreax “indicated a pedophilic disorder” Judge Michael Adams said in his judgment.

“Drew had turned me against my family and against my own mother. For years I had resented her for bringing him into my life, for not doing enough to protect me,” the now grown man said in his victim impact statement.

“But I now realise he had manipulated us all to commit his crime. My biggest regret is wishing I had come forward earlier to make Drew face the consequences of his actions.

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