54-year-old father of four avoids jail in Logan court for indecent treatment of child under 12

A father of four who preyed on his daughter’s nine-year-old friend has avoided jail because of his ‘exceptional circumstances’.

A father of four has avoided jail after pleading guilty in Beenleigh District Court to indecent treatment of a child under 12

A father of four who inappropriately touched a nine-year-old girl has avoided jail because of his ‘exceptional circumstances’.

The 54-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on Tuesday, May 23 to indecent treatment of a child under 12.

The court heard the man, born in New South Wales, was sitting on a lounge with the girl, who was a friend of his daughter’s, under a blanket and watching a movie.

He touched her genitalia over her clothing and tried to kiss the nine-year-old girl.

The offending happened in Logan in 2013 but the victim did not report it to police until 2021.

The court heard he apologised in April 2022 over the phone to the victim and was arrested by police days later.

A victim impact statement tendered to the court outlined the traumatic effect the abuse had on the girl.

“The statement outlines the profound effect it had on her, she had trouble sleeping and had nightmares,” said Crown Prosecutor Bourke.

“It affected the way she viewed her body and how she interacts with males.

“She also stated she felt relief when speaking to police after holding it inside for so many years.”

The court heard the defendant’s wife had a heavy intellectual and physical disability and he was the sole carer for her.

Any sexual offence against a child in Queensland must be punished with an actual term of imprisonment unless there are exceptional circumstances.

His legal defence argued the need to care for his wife and his lack of reoffending was an example of exceptional circumstances.

Judge Craig Chowdhury agreed with man’s legal defence.

“This type of offending has always been viewed as serious by the courts but I accept there are exceptional circumstances,” he said.

“It’s not surprising that the victim has been badly affected by this offending.”

The father of four was sentenced to nine months in prison, wholly suspended for 12 months.

Originally published as 54-year-old father of four avoids jail in Logan court for indecent treatment of child under 12