Sally Dowling: Families of former Bega Cheese boss’ victims Maurice Van Ryn praise promotion
The families of the victim’s of confessed paedophile Maurice Van Ryn have welcomed the appointment of new DPP head Sally Dowling after she fought to keep the predator behind bars.
The South Coast News
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The families of south coast predator Maurice Van Ryn’s victims have applauded news the prosecutor in their case, who fought for him to spend more time behind bars, has been promoted.
A father of one of the victims has welcomed the promotion of Sally Dowling SC to the role NSW Director of Public Prosecutions after she lead the successful appeal to have the confessed paedophiles and former dairy executive’s sentence almost doubled in 2016.
“We got to know Sally well during those weeks when we travelled to Sydney to be briefed by her and to listen to her arguments in court,” the father said.
“Ms Dowling demonstrated true understanding and empathy towards victims and victims’ families.
“She meticulously and professionally argued why the original sentence handed down by Judge Jefferys was seriously inadequate, an affront to justice, and was successful in achieving that outcome.”
The Criminal Court of Appeal has almost doubled the 64-year-old’s non-parole period to 13 years and six months for abusing nine children, some as young as eight, over an 11-year period.
The three-judge appeal panel of Justices Mark Leeming, Peter Johnson and Robert Allan Hulme found a number of errors in the way the District Court arrived at its sentence.
The court described the original judgment as “an affront to the administration of justice”.
Ms Dowling’s work on seeking the revised sentence set a new benchmark for similar offences in NSW, the rather said.
“It should be further highlighted that her work on the Van Ryn appeal case has had a direct outcome in the increased length of sentencing of child sex offenders in NSW,” he said.
“The Van Ryn appeal has now become the benchmark for sentencing of similar convicted paedophiles in NSW.”
He said her appointment as the first woman to be handed the role “should give heart to those seeking justice for sex crimes perpetrated against children in NSW”.
Advocate for victims of crime, Howard Brown, who worked closely with many of Van Ryn’s victims, said she helped many through every step of the court process.
“His victims felt they had done things wrong and she put them at ease,” Mr Brown said.
“She told them a case is like a jigsaw and they hold 20 pieces, so if it doesn’t work out it doesn’t come down to them.
“Victims really need support from the Crown, and she offers that.
“She had such a great approach to the victims and their families.”
Van Ryn, who was Bega Cheese CEO for 15 years, will be eligible for parole in 2029.
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