Gymnastics Unlimited coach Taylor Farrell jailed for sex with 12-year-old child
A Sunbury gymnastics coach has been jailed for having sex with a child at least once a week for more than two years, with the victim just 12 when the offending started.
North West
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A Sunbury gymnastics coach had sex with a child at least once a week for more than two years, including at the gymnasium he taught at, a court has heard.
Taylor Farrell, 27, was sentenced in the County Court yesterday to three months’ jail after pleading guilty to a charge of sexually penetrating a child under 16.
Farrell was a coach at Gymnastics Unlimited in Kealba when he met his then 12-year-old victim several years ago.
Farrell communicated with the girl via Facebook messenger.
The court heard Farrell “groomed” his victim by paying her compliments, including telling her she was pretty.
The court heard the offending occurred “at least once a week” until mid-2014 at places including Farrell’s home, his car, at Sunbury Park and in the “foam pit” at the Kealba gymnasium after hours.
He told his victim to say she was 16 if anyone at his home asked how old she was.
His conduct was eventually reported to Gymnastics Victoria who referred the matter to police.
Farrell was arrested in November 2018 but wasn’t charged until May last year.
He denied having a sexual relationship with the victim or knowing the girl’s real age despite it appearing on her Facebook profile.
However, he later pleaded guilty at a contested committal hearing.
The victim, in a statement, said she “felt disgusted” every time she had sex with Farrell.
“I see now what Taylor did to me was wrong,” the victim said.
Farrell’s defence lawyer said there was “little or no evidence the victim had suffered or was likely to suffer”.
It was also submitted Farrell, a former Sunbury Secondary College student, did not take advantage of his victim.
Judge Michael O’Connell accepted the offending lacked predatory behaviour.
He also said the prosecution’s submission Farrell groomed his victim was “misplaced”.
Judge O’Connell took into account the delay since the offending took place, Farrell’s immaturity and his guilty plea.
However, Judge O’Connell said Farrell must serve some jail time.
“The fact that the victim was so young, that is 12 years of age at the beginning of this offending, and the fact that the presumption of harm is not rebutted, means that general deterrence, just punishment and denunciation still have a role to play,” Judge O’Connell said.
Farrell was jailed for three months and ordered to complete an 18-month community correction order.
He was also entered as a registered sex offender for 15 years.
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