Jamestown serial pedophile Phillip Ferguson jailed for 12 years after abusing four young boys

A serial pedophile who abused four young boys in Jamestown walked free for decades before one of his victims courageously confronted him.

A serial pedophile who abused four young boys remained undetected in the community for years before one of his victims courageously confronted him decades later.

Phillip John Ferguson, 86, will likely die in jail for his “despicable” abuse under the guise of being a “harmless and helpful” man in the town.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Ferguson lived alone in a Jamestown house, which is in the state’s Mid North, in the 1990s and 2000s.

The court heard Ferguson befriended each of his four victims, who were all local boys, by helping them to fix their pushbikes and showing them how to build and fix things.

His offending spanned over a period of about 12 years, with the youngest victim aged 12 at the time of the offending.

Phillip Ferguson will likely die in jail after he abused four young boys over 12 years. Photo: File

“It was also common that you would give them treats, such as lollies and soft drinks and other favours which were enticing to young boys,” Judge Carmen Matteo said.

The court heard the first of Ferguson’s victims, who he indecently assaulted, dreamt of becoming an Olympian but retreated from sports because he feared being inappropriately touched by coaches.

The court heard the first victim brought his friend to Ferguson’s house, who he then abused on a weekly basis over a period of two to three years.

The court heard the second victim began abusing methamphetamine to cope with the abuse.

“He feels as though he died in his teens and that he is now; ‘just the living emotionless hollow shell of the person I could have been’,” Judge Matteo said.

The court heard Ferguson showed pornography to another boy, while his final victim was abused by him too many times to recall.

Ferguson would give the final victim money, alcohol and expensive gifts including a computer and PlayStation.

In October 2021, Ferguson’s final victim made the decision to confront him in his home and asked for an apology.

“In response to which you said something about thinking that the two of you were in some kind of relationship and therefore thinking that it was okay,” Judge Matteo said.

The victim then reported Ferguson to the police.

“(He) feels that he could have done so much more with his life if his mental health had not been, as he puts it, stolen from him,” Judge Matteo said.

Ferguson pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including maintaining sexual relationship with a child, which is now termed sexual abuse of a child, and indecent assault.

Judge Matteo said Ferguson’s conduct was “rampant and despicable” and he did it for his own sexual gratification.

“Your conduct has had profound, lifelong consequences for all of your victims, all of whom were blameless and deserved better,” she said.

“You abused the trust which each of them had in you as an older man in the town who gave the impression of being harmless, helpful and generous.”

The court heard Ferguson met the diagnostic criteria for mild neurocognitive disorder due to possible Alzheimer’s disease and it was suspected his condition would decline.

Judge Matteo sentenced Ferguson to 12 years jail, with a non-parole period of nine years and seven months.

The sentence was backdated to December 12.

Originally published as Jamestown serial pedophile Phillip Ferguson jailed for 12 years after abusing four young boys