Cessnock man jailed after a two-and-a-half year sexual relationship with 12-year-old step daughter

The court heard the Cessnock man struck up a secret sexual relationship with his 12-year-old step daughter and would talk about the pair running away and getting married.

A court has heard the sordid details of a secret relationship a man had with his 12-year-old step daughter, telling her he wanted to run away with the teenager and get married.

The Cessnock man — who cannot be named for legal reasons — was in a defacto relationship with the child’s mother for 10 years when he commenced a sexual relationship with the girl for a period of two and a half years.

The court heard the man — who was in his 30s at the time of the offending — struck up the secret relationship and would talk about running away with the child and suggesting when she turned 18 they could get married and have children.

He also told the teenager if he was caught he would go to jail, but when he was released, he would find her and they could be together again.

With his head bowed, the man appeared via video link at Newcastle District Court on Tuesday as detailed facts were read out before his sentencing.

The man was jailed in Newcastle District Court on Tuesday. Supplied.

The court heard he would get jealous when the girl spoke to other boys her own age and told her she was cheating on him.

On one occasion in 2019, he also made threats against his own life when he discovered the teenager had a boyfriend. It prompted the girl to end the relationship because of his conduct.

He would also use her school email account to send inappropriate and sexual emails, control and monitor her social media accounts, and would encourage her to pretend to be sick and stay home from school so he could be alone with her.

The court heard there were two occasions the girl had a pregnancy scare because the pair didn’t use protection during sex.

A week before his arrest she “wanted to let him go” but he pleaded with her to work it out, suggesting they have an “open relationship”.

In October last year, the child’s mother discovered the emails and when she confronted her partner, he admitted it, before she reported him to police.

He pleaded guilty to maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child.

Judge Tim Gartelmann said while the man sought to explain his relationship with the child, over time and on reflection, he came to accept full responsibility for his conduct, showing shame and sorrow from his offending.

But, it was a serious offence where the charge had a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and he had “exploited” the child.

“Offenders must be held to account, harm to the victim must be properly recognised,” Judge Gartelmann said.

The man was sentenced to 12 years jail, with a non-parole period of eight years.

He’ll be eligible for release in September 2028.