Matthew Price: Former Bright cinema owner sexually abused teen

A former Bright cinema owner who sexually abused a teenager, “controlling and corrupting” her, has been jailed.

A former Bright local cinema owner has been jailed for performing sick sexual acts on a teenager.

Father-of-two Matthew Price, 48, was jailed for a minimum of two-and-a-half years after he pleaded guilty to six charges including sexual penetration with a child under the age of 17 and causing a child under care, supervision or authority to be present during sexual activity in Shepparton County Court.

The court heard the owner of Cloud9 Cinema and Escape Rooms in Bright assaulted a 17-year-old girl over several months.

On one occasion he exposed his genitals to the victim while she helped a friend who was sick in the escape room’s toilets.

Four months later, Price invited his victim to a property next to her home where she had been sunbaking in her backyard.

He kissed her before assaulting her again.

On another occasion, he exposed his genitals to the victim before giving her lunch.

Just a few days later, the victim was forced to perform sexual acts on Price when they were alone.

She was sexually assaulted another four times before his arrest.

During his interview, Price said he had provided “an adult’s perspective” to his victim.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the teenager said Price’s offending had left her feeling “isolated and lonely”.

“I became lost, confused and disgusted in myself,” she said.

“If I spoke up, I felt I would be ashamed and blamed for not stopping you or saying something sooner. I often see your face on male strangers who don’t even look like you.

“I have got to the point where I don’t feel comfortable being back in my home town. Your crimes have put a huge strain on my relationship with my family and friends.”

While Price’s former partner said their relationship had “been a game” to Price.

“The months after your arrest were the darkest in my life,” she said.

In last week’s plea hearing, Price’s defence lawyer Jason Gullaci said his client was “a man of prior good character before this offending”.

“He does not have pedophilic interest,” Mr Gullaci said.

Judge Anne Hassan said Price’s behaviour was “controlling and corrupting”.

He will serve a maximum of four years behind bars and was registered as a sex offender for life.

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