West Creek concreter Ashley Gunaratnam jailed for sexual penetration of a child

A Gippsland concreter, hunter and local footy club volunteer claimed his child sex assault victim was “being disgusting”.

Ashley 'Choco' Gunaratnam pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual penetration of a child under 16. Facebook.

A Gippsland concreter exposed as a child sex fiend after he admitted penetrating a 13-year-old girl has been jailed.

Ashley ‘Choco’ Gunaratnam, 31, was sentenced in the County Court on Thursday to a minimum two years and three months’ jail after pleading guilty to sexual penetration of a child under 16.

Gunaratnam violated his underage victim multiple times in various Gippsland locations, the court was told.

Gunaratnam met his victim at a party then messaged the girl about having sex for the first time.

The fiend later had sex with his victim but she asked him to stop.

Gunaratnam also assaulted the victim in his Toyota HiLux.

On another occasion, Gunaratnam pushed the girl onto a bed and violated her while not wearing a condom after the victim said she wasn’t interested in having sex.

Gunaratnam also had sex with his victim inside a Gippsland shed.

The victim forwarded screenshots of lewd messages the fiend had sent her to Gunaratnam’s former partner.

Gunaratnam denied any wrongdoing, telling his ex-partner the girl was “being disgusting”.

Alarm bells were raised after Gunaratnam’s ex-partner found a used condom.

Gunaratnam was arrested and interviewed by police but denied sexually penetrating his victim.

“Nothing ever happened,” Gunaratnam told police.

“I swear on my life, I swear on my family’s life … if you lie you get into more trouble.”

The victim’s mother, in her victim impact statement read to the court, said she has suffered anxiety since the offending was disclosed.

“I feel I am a failure and live with this for the rest of my life …,” she said.

“This pain will never fully leave.”

The court was told Gunaratnam was a keen hunter and fisher who owns 10 hound dogs.

Gunaratnam also works for J.W.D Concreting but his boss was not aware Gunaratnam would be going to prison, the court heard.

Gunaratnam was supported in court by his mother, stepfather and new partner who is “shocked and distraught” after only recently learning the true extent of her boyfriend’s legal predicament.

The court heard Gunaratnam has been a long-term player, member and volunteer at the Nyora Football/Netball Club with club representative Gavin Doig providing the court with a reference.

Judge Fiona Todd jailed Gunaratnam for a maximum three years and nine months’ jail.

Gunaratnam was made a registered sex offender for life.

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