Mark Ladmore: Long Beach man jailed for 14 years for sickening child assault

The child victim of a South Coast man guilty of a slew of sickening child sex offences has shared brutal words to their predator during sentencing, labelling him a molester and telling him to “rot in hell”.

Mark Ladmore has been sentenced for the child sex offences. Picture: Tom McGann

The child victim of a South Coast man guilty of a slew of sickening child sex offences has shared brutal words to their predator during sentencing, labelling him a molester and telling him to “rot in hell”.

Mark Ladmore’s child victim shared the stern words to the Long Beach air conditioning business owner by way of a letter read out by their parent during his sentencing in Wollongong District Court on Friday.

The 44-year-old’s sentencing arose 10 weeks after he was found guilty of sexually touching a child, producing child abuse material, assault, and intentionally carrying out sexual activity with a child at a week-long judge-only trial in Bega District Court.

Ladmore - who appeared in court on Friday via video link in prison greens - was ultimately acquitted two other charges: possessing child abuse material, and committing aggravated sexual intercourse with a child.

Judge Andrew Haesler said those two charges could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

During sentencing on Friday, a victim impact statement written by the child was read to the court and Ladmore by their mother.

Mark Ladmore was sentenced in Wollongong District Court. Picture: Dylan Arvela

“You were kind to me, you spoiled me - I trusted you,” they said.

“I found out what a pedophile was and everything about what it means is literally you.”

Mark Ladmore entering Bega District Court for his Judgement on March 21. Picture: Tom McGann

The victim said Ladmore was “exactly” where he belonged, noting his bail was revoked and custody reinstated following his guilty verdict.

“I’m proud of myself for being brave and speaking up,” they said.

“I’m glad you can’t hurt me anymore.

“You’ll always be remembered as Mark child molester, sex offender Ladmore. Rot in hell.”

Mark Ladmore previously Batemans Bay Local Court in 2023. Picture: Tom McGann

The sentencing and brutal victim impact statement followed Ladmore’s judge-only trial, which revealed the vile details his 2022 and 2023 sexual abuse of the child, including physical touching, grooming, and taking multiple images of them while they were naked, one even from a roof cavity while the child sat in a bath.

Ladmore denied the slew of vile offending when he took the stand in his trial, however Judge Haesler said it was clear he was lying.

“He lied to the court,” he said during judgment on March 21.

“He took known facts and put a twist on them.”

During sentencing on Friday, Ladmore’s defence barrister David McCallum said his client did not have a criminal history, had good prospects of rehabilitation and had a “good work ethic” which would “assist him upon his release”.

However, the Crown prosecutor reiterated the seriousness of Ladmore’s offending.

Judge Haesler agreed, saying Ladmore “clearly” had an unhealthy fascination with the child and said his actions severely “upset” the small coastal community.

“Every child sex offence is serious,” he said.

“[The child] was completely innocent and he manipulated them.”

Ladmore was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison with a non-parole period of 10 yeas.

He will be eligible for release in March 2035.

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