Young woman fears for her life because of predator step-father

A young woman says she is “living in fear every day” because of the pain her predator stepfather inflicted for three years when she was a girl.

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A YOUNG woman says she is “living in fear every day” because of the pain her predator stepfather inflicted for three years when she was a girl.

In a powerful letter read to the Southport District Court, the 21-year-old said: “As a young adult I shouldn’t have to live in fear every day of my life. But I do.

“I shouldn’t have to worry about my surroundings and constantly be looking over my back. But I do.”

The letter was read by Prosecutor Matt Hynes on Friday, moments after her 39-year-old stepfather pleaded guilty to maintaining a sexual relationship with a child.

Judge William Everson sentenced the man to four-and-a-half years’ prison. He will be eligible for parole on December 10 next year.

When the woman was between eight and 11, her stepfather would sexually abuse her with inappropriate touching while her mother was out with her sister.

She remembered some of the abuse happened while she was watching Neighbours.

Some occasions happened while others were in the home.

The two years of trauma left a devastating toll on the woman.

The woman said she suffered recurring nightmares and had difficulty touching or hugging people as a result of the abuse.

In the letter she spoke about recurring nightmares, seeking treatment with psychologists and how, as a child, she took every opportunity to leave the home, including staying with friends as often as possible.

“Every day I was in that house … I was uncomfortable. I was scared that it would happen again.

“I was scared that it could be happening to my sister and me not even realising.”

The woman wrote about how she had difficulty touching or hugging people, including family members.

But she hoped the sentencing would be a new start.

“No amount of time will change what happened to me as a child but at least I now have justice,” she wrote. “I can get some sort of closure and begin to build my life.”

The woman attended the sentencing supported by family members. When her stepfather’s barrister was speaking, she left the courtroom.

Judge Everson described the abuse as “deviant sexual offending”.

“Your offending has had some serious consequences on her in terms of her own life and these include fear, anxiety, insomnia and recurring nightmares.

“You have damaged people in a way she is going to have to cope with in order to have a meaningful life.”

Defence barrister Nick McGhee, instructed by Rawlings Criminal Law, said the stepfather accepted his behaviour was wrong and he was “embarrassed” by it.

He said the stepfather denied having any sexual interest in young girls.

Mr McGhee said the offending had cost the stepfather the ability to have a relationship with his son.

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