Mildura truckie Nathan Garratt jailed for sexual penetration, sexual assault on child under 16
A grub truckie who sexually penetrated a 14-year-old schoolgirl at a Mildura cinema later told police the vile assault “didn’t happen” but that wasn’t worst of his vile offending.
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A Mildura truckie who sexually penetrated a schoolgirl at the Deakin Cinema then circulated lewd images of her on social media has been jailed.
Nathan Garratt, 28, was sentenced in the County Court on Monday to a minimum four years and three months’ jail after pleading guilty to charges including sexual penetration of a child under 16.
Garratt groomed his schoolgirl victim via Snapchat and Facebook Messenger.
He took her to the Deakin Cinema to watch Bad Boys for Life earlier this year.
The Ginko mine truck driver sexually penetrated his 14-year-old victim during the movie.
After the film Garratt put a TV on lay-by then offered to buy his victim underwear.
Garratt harassed his victim via Snapchat and sent lewd images and suicide threats.
He also bought her a pink bra and a school-style skirt and asked to use a sex toy on his victim but she refused.
Garratt got angry and accused his victim of seeing other people.
Garratt was nabbed on March 13.
Police gathered evidence including the movie ticket stub and Garratt’s mobile.
He was caught in possession of child abuse material.
It was revealed Garratt circulated lewd images and videos of his victim via KiK.
Garratt used vile and degrading language when discussing his victim with other KiK users.
Garratt also circulated an image of an unknown girl with a toothbrush to her genitalia.
The truckie also exchanged lewd messages and images with multiple underage social media users.
Garratt’s victim said in her victim statement that she now has “nightmares”.
“I didn’t feel safe, not even in my own house,” the victim said.
Garratt, who grew up in Phillip Island, denied sexually penetrated his victim at the cinema.
“In my mind it didn’t happen,” Garratt told police.
Garratt, who appeared via videolink from Hopkins Correctional Centre, was also charged with grooming for sexual conduct with a child under 16 and sexual assault of a child under 16.
Judge Anne Hassan said the “manipulation” via social media made it a “serious crime”.
Judge Hassan said
Garratt – who had spent 227 days in custody – was jailed for a maximum six years and nine months.
He was made a registered sex offender for life.
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