Former Hunter Surf Lifesaver Robert Beavis jailed for historical child sex offences

He was a respected community member, but a court heard how the former Hunter lifesaver exploited those who trusted him and sexually abused young girls.

One of his victims sat quietly, tears running down her face, as she faced the man who had been her abuser 15 years ago when she was just a child.

Not in person, but via video link, Robert John Beavis was dressed in his prison greens as he listened to proceedings of how as a respected community member, he exploited those who trusted him.

The former Hunter life saving member for almost three decades pleaded guilty to a historical charge of indecent assault and two charges of sexual intercourse with a person under 10.

The charges related to two girls — aged eight and nine — at Belmont between 2003 and 2006.

Robert Beavis sexually and indecently assaulted two girls at Belmont between 2003 and 2006. Credit: Aussie Sex Offenders

Three other charges of assault with an act of indecency and sexual intercourse with a person under 10 were taken into account of sentencing.

In Newcastle District Court on Tuesday he was jailed for 10 years with a non-parole period of five years and six months.

But it wasn’t the first time he was convicted for similar offences. The court heard in December 2017, he went to trial for the sexual and indecent assault of a 10-year-old girl in 2004.

He was found guilty and jailed for seven years, with that sentence set to expire in February next year, except for the fact Tuesday’s ruling will see him behind bars until at least June 2024.

The Crown Prosecutor said Beavis demonstrated a “grave breach of trust” and there was little evidence of remorse

But defence barrister Rebecca Suters said her client expressed clear willingness to rehabilitate, with his overall goal to return home to his family.

“His extreme motivation to get back, his family unit is supportive and he is keen for that to happen,” she said.

Before sentencing, Judge Roy Ellis said, “children are entitled to be kept safe and raised in an environment they are not subject to sexual abuse,”

“Each of these two victims were under his authority and that is an aggravating factor.”

Beavis admitted to sexually assaulting the two girls more than 10 years ago.

The court heard how on numerous occasions in 2003, he would indecently assault one of the victims.

“Do you like tickles,” he said on one occasion.

Court documents revealed the young girl was in shock and “frozen stiff” and was too scared to say anything at the time.

Beavis was sentenced at Newcastle District Court on Tuesday.

During the school holidays in 2003/2004, the girl was in a pool with Beavis when, he placed his fingers into her swimmer bottoms, the court heard.

It was detailed how a second victim was also indecently and sexually assaulted in 2006.

Firstly in a pool, where he pulled the young girl onto his lap and sexually assaulted her, later when he climbed under the blanket she was sleeping under.

The court heard she started to cry before he stopped.

The girl told her dad about what had happened the following day.

Lake Macquarie detectives from Strike Force Luongo were tasked to investigate the allegations against Beavis after they received information in 2018.

In January 2020, he was interviewed by police and denied all allegations before being charged.