Mildura sex fiend Nathan Doherty admits to charges of sexual penetration of a child under 16

A Mildura fiend sexually assaulted underage girls but the torment isn’t over after a court was told some victims and their families are “under threat”.

Nathan Doherty pleaded guilty to charges including sexual penetration of a child under 16.

A Mildura teen filmed a schoolgirl sex attack while he ran amok sexually assaulting several underage victims.

Nathan Doherty, 20, fronted the County Court last Friday after pleading guilty to charges including five counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16.

Doherty, from Buronga, was 18 when he committed lewd and vile acts on multiple victims aged between 13 and 15.

The creep’s sex crimes occurred between March and May last year.

Doherty lured a 13-year-old victim to Kenny Park in Merbein after rusing the schoolgirl into believing he would provide her “comfort” after she had a fight with her mum.

Instead Doherty sexually penetrated his “scared” victim.

The sexual assault only ended when park sprinklers activated and interrupted the fiend.

The victim was “crying and her body shaking” when she told her mum what Doherty did.

Doherty met another victim at Café 1909 then took her to Lock 11 along the Mildura waterfront.

Doherty sexually penetrated his victim multiple times before fleeing in a taxi and leaving his 15-year-old victim to walk to a friend’s house.

Doherty, who also sexually penetrated a third underage victim, was arrested and interviewed by police on May 10 last year.

Police seized Doherty’s phone and discovered a lewd video.

Doherty admitted sexually penetrating one victim but denied offending against his other victims.

He also denied being at Kenny Park and Lock 11 and told police he “does not use” taxis.

Doherty also denied being sexually active or having any interest in sexual activity despite his phone showing searches for “sex-related” websites.

Police linked Doherty to the offending via his Facebook profile and phone analysis.

Doherty had initially planned to chance his arm at trial but later pleaded guilty to multiple charges including involving a child in the production of child abuse material.

The court was told Doherty did not upload his homemade child porn on social media nor share with third parties.

The prosecution submitted some of Doherty’s offending could be considered “predatory” but Judge Paul Higham – one of the County Court’s most experienced sex crimes judges – found the submission hard to accept.

The court heard Doherty doesn’t know how to cook or do his washing but cars are his passion.

The defence submitted Doherty has trained as a mechanic and commenced a building apprenticeship in shed building but hoped to drive a dump truck at the mines when his matter is finalised

Two of Doherty’s victims had their victim impact statements read to the court.

One victim said she now suffered social anxiety on a “severe level”.

“I can’t leave the house on my own,” she said.

“I feel people will talk about me or point me out … (and) yell abuse.

“I feel my privacy has been violated because I was filmed.

“I’m hoping an end to this matter will allow me to heal.”

The other victim said she has been “hurt, worried and nervous” since the assault.

“I have been in fear the day it happened,” she said.

“It’s not the same fear like being scared of spiders and snakes … I can’t even feel safe in my own home.”

The victim also alleged in her statement that was allowed to be read to the court that she “suffers intimidation from Doherty’s friends” and her “family has been under threat”.

“I find it so hard to sleep knowing you could be outside planning something,” she said.

“I can’t even go into shops without looking over my shoulder.”

Judge Higham assured the victims “they have been heard”.

He also “implored” for the “trolling or harassing of the victims to stop”.

“I understand Mildura is a small town,” Judge Higham said.

“Hopefully there is less demonising … hopefully they (the victims) can leave their houses with their heads held high.”

Doherty, who appeared via videolink, had his bail extended for sentencing on February 19.

His strict bail conditions include not to use any electronic device or go on social media nor is he allowed to approach victims or witnesses.

Doherty, who had previously spent 255 days on remand at Ravenhall Correctional, will be made a registered sex offender for life.

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