Judge jails Gold Coast millionaire John Chardon for six years for rape of teenager

A GOLD Coast millionaire has been sentenced to six years jail for molesting and raping his daughter’s teenage best friend.

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GOLD Coast millionaire John Chardon has been sentenced to six years jail for molesting and raping his daughter’s teenage best friend 15 years ago.

Chardon, 67, who is also the husband of missing Coomera woman Novy Chardon, was found guilty of committing the historical sex offences between 1998 and 1999 after a week-long Southport District Court trial last month.

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During the trial Chardon denied the charges, claiming it was the 15-year-old schoolgirl who offered him sex and he had turned her down after getting legal advice on the ramifications of sleeping with a minor.

SIX SEX OFFENCES: John Chardon has been sentenced to six years jail. Photo: Richard Gosling

He did admit he started a secret cash-for-sex relationship with the teenager once she came of age.

He continued to protest his innocence even after a jury of 12 found him guilty of six sex offences including rape and attempted rape.

Judge Clive Wall QC controversially allowed Chardon bail for a month to “get his affairs in order” before today’s sentence.

Chardon’s adult daughters defended him during the trial but were understood to have said their goodbyes to their father at his Coomera home this morning instead of coming to court.

Today Chardon was stoic in the prisoner’s dock this morning as he was sentenced.

He will be eligible for parole after serving three years behind bars.

Read the full story in tomorrow’s Gold Coast Bulletin.