Nick Briffa: Father of 4yo victim reveals impact of man’s sexual assault of child

A father has shared how his brave four-year-old girl who spoke out after a predator sexually assaulted her has been left forever changed after “the evil of that day”.

Nick Briffa, 28, faced Campbelltown District Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of having sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 years.

A depraved man who sexually assaulted a young girl just hours after meeting her cried as the victim’s father revealed the toll such evil took on his bright four-year-old daughter.

Nick Briffa, 28, faced Campbelltown District Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of having sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 years.

Court documents state Briffa, of Asquith, was arrested in September 2022 after the four-year-old told her family she had been assaulted.

Briffa, who is not related to the child, was at the house and entered the girl’s bedroom between 3.30am and 7am.

The documents state Briffa twice sexually assaulted the girl and told her to keep it a secret before he left.

Campbelltown Courthouse. Picture: Angelo Velardo

The young girl told family members what had happened, and Briffa was arrested.

Her father faced Briffa on Tuesday and revealed how the crimes had far-reaching impacts on his daughter and his entire family.

“[Her] life forever changed that day. Her innocent outlook on life was stripped away,” the dad said.

“She was powerless to stop an adult … [her] strength has empowered me to deliver this statement today.”

The father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke of how even just at four years old his daughter was bravely able to articulate “the evil of that day”.

He told the court his daughter struggles to trust new people, has difficulty with emotional regulation and finds it hard to transition at school.

“She knows now, in a first-time meeting, you can be preyed upon and fall victim to a predator … he only knew her for a couple of hours before he changed her life forever,” he said.

“I find solace in the fact that my daughter has ensured there will be no future victims.”

The dad slammed Briffa’s choice not to seek help for his “sick fantasies” but said his daughter was a “warrior” and this would not define her.

“You can’t stop evil. You just have to hope you don’t cross its path,” he said.

Court documents state during an interview, Briffa initially denied what happened but then became upset and said, “I lied … It’s true, it happened”.

The documents state Briffa told investigators he had wanted to engage in a sexual act with a child before and described it as a “fantasy” and said he knew he needed help but did not tell someone.

At court on Tuesday, Judge Julia Baly questioned the defence on the status of their case.

“I don’t have to tell you these are very, very serious offences carrying life imprisonment … but there is no material from the defence at all,” she said.

“The sentence assessment has some reference to some psychological issues … Mr Briffa is also assessed in that report as having a high risk of reoffending. The seriousness of this matter hasn’t escaped me.”

The matter was adjourned for sentence and will next be mentioned on December 13.