Craig Broadbent, 46, sentenced for failing to comply with NSW Child Protection Register reporting obligations

A carpet layer breached NSW Child Protection Register reporting obligations after being convicted of sexually touching a child, a Sydney court has heard

Craig Broadbent faced Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday after he failed to comply with NSW Child Protection Register reporting obligations. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A father has breached NSW Child Protection Register reporting obligations after being convicted of sexually touching a child.

Craig Broadbent did not notify police he had resumed work as a carpeting subcontractor.

The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his child protection registry reporting obligations and was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

Broadbent was convicted of two counts of intentionally sexually touching a child aged between 10 and 16 years in December 2022, agreed facts tendered to the court state.

He was placed on the register on March 17, after he was released on parole, and is subject to a 15-year reporting period.

Broadbent was notified of reporting obligations, including providing employment details.

Craig Broadbent at Sutherland Local Court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

He initially told police he was unemployed and he was informed he had to notify officers of any change within seven days.

In October, a parole officer informed St George police Broadbent’s had been working as a subcontractor at family business Teddy’s Carpet since September 26, court documents state.

Police attended Broadbent’s Peakhurst home to carry out an inspection of his electronic devices and found emails of 11 invoices sent from the business.

Broadbent told police he was self-employed for 15 years.

“I’ve always been employed ‘cause I’ve got my own business. I am the director of my own company,” he said.

Broadbent told officers he believed he had to work 14 shifts before he had to report to police.

Broadbent was sentenced.

He then said he misunderstood the legislation, but informed his parole officer and was advised that information would be passed onto police.

The court heard when Broadbent’s mother was suffering from emphysema and his brother lost his life to cancer following his release from prison.

His defence lawyer said there was a “miscommunication” when Broadbent went to police.

Magistrate Philip Stewart took into account Broadbent was on parole at the time of offending, but that it was successfully completed in December.

He said the offending was “towards the lower end” and the aim of the registry was to protect vulnerable members of the community.

Mr Stewart accepted Broadbent had a relatively limited criminal history and had contacted the parole worker.

Broadbent was convicted and sentenced to a nine-month community corrections order.