Gympie Senior Citizen of the Year Award winner jailed for rape in Townsville District Court
A Queensland father of 11 has been sentenced after he was found guilty of raping a young girl.
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A man who once won a Senior Citizen Award in Queensland was sentenced after he was found guilty by a jury of raping a young girl.
Gordon Lloyd Adams, now 72 was found guilty of five counts of rape and three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 earlier this year.
He was found not guilty of one count of indecent treatment and one count of rape.
He appeared in Townsville District Court recently via video link where he was supported by family members behind him as he sat in the dock.
Judge Christopher Kahler said he had caused injury to a girl under the age of 12 while raping her and committed “physical violence” against her in Oakey, Lawnton and Southside.
“You caused injury to her, you caused her physical, mental and emotional harm,” he said.
“It can only be described as appalling and sickening.”
The court was told the man won Gympie’s Senior Citizen of the Year Award in 2013, he had also worked as a welfare officer for Vinnies completed a diploma in mental health and handled welfare interviews associated with the church.
In 1980 he was charged in New South Wales for carnal knowledge with a 15-year-old girl who worked with him at the Salvation Army.
“You took her to your house for coffee and had intercourse with her,” His Honour said.
He was sentenced in 2012 to a good behaviour bond and a conviction was recorded.
“There’s clearly offending of a like nature,” His Honour said.
The court was told the man had poor health having suffered a stroke in 2023 and experienced chronic pain.
While he spent time in pre-sentence custody he was hospitalised.
Adams pleaded guilty to indecent treatment and rape.
He was sentenced to seven years jail and 28 days of pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.
He will be eligible for parole on November 26, 2028.
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Originally published as Gympie Senior Citizen of the Year Award winner jailed for rape in Townsville District Court
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