Cairns crime: Jack Beattie sentenced for carnal knowledge

A man who preyed on a vulnerable 15-year-old who was 23 years younger than him and blamed his son for a sordid series of explicit texts, videos and images has learnt his fate.

Jack Beattie, 38, of Malanda, was found guilty by a jury in Cairns court.

A man who preyed on a vulnerable 15-year-old who was 23 years younger than him and blamed his son for a sordid series of explicit texts, videos and images has been sentenced in Cairns District Court.

Malanda man Jack Beattie, 42, was found guilty by a jury of four counts of carnal knowledge with a child under 16, five counts of using the internet to procure a child under 16 and going to meet the child, and eight counts of using the internet to procure a child under 16.

Judge Deborah Richards said Beattie met the girl and had sex with her four times.

“She thought, because of the grooming that went on, that you were in love with her … you preyed upon her neediness,” Judge Richards said.

“When confronted by authorities you blamed your son for the texts sent and said she was inventing the story to exact revenge on your and your family. You have shown no remorse.

“I take into account it was a consensual interaction, but it was exploitative, the girl was vulnerable.

Jack Beattie was 38 years old when he had sex with a vulnerable 15-year-old on four occasions. Picture: Supplied

“You shamefully blamed your son and called the girl a liar.”

He received a head sentence of three years with 384 days in pre-sentence custody declared as time served and a parole eligibility date of March 15, 2024.

The girls’ parents were in court.

Beattie was also sentenced, along with co-offender Louise Maree Dadd, 43, for arson.

Beattie received two years, to be served cumulatively.

Dadd received two and a half years prison, with an immediate parole release date.

Prosecutor Claudia Georgouras told the court the pair hired a car on March 15 last year in Dadd’s name because Beattie did not have a licence.

Beattie was driving the car when it collided with another car, but they had not paid for a $4500 insurance excess.

Beattie asked his son to help him burn the car but his son refused, and he asked Dadd to help him.

Beattie drove the car was driven to a swimming hole at Goldsborough and set it alight and Dadd drove him home.

The car was destroyed.

Jack Beattie, 42, of Malanda, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of carnal knowledge with a child under 16, four counts of using the internet to procure a child under 16 and going to meet the child, and eight counts of using the internet to procure a child under 16. Picture: Supplied

Dadd then called the police and reported the car stolen.

Defence barrister Michael Dalton, representing Dadd, said she had four children and they would have to live with her sister and her two children, and a mother with dementia, in a two bedroom house, if Dadd went to jail.

Judge Richards remarked that Dadd should have considered that before burning the car.

“You say it is not insurance fraud, but it is still dishonest, reporting the vehicle stolen was quite premeditated,” Judge Richards said.

Mr Dalton said Beattie was the principal offender.

Beattie was on bail at the time for the other offences and was remanded in custody.

Judge Richards accepted that Dadd had a history of abusive domestic relationships and a pattern of involvement with aggressive and domineering men that resulted in her being submissive and easily dominated.

“You should have thought about your children, after all, you’re the one who put their future in jeopardy by your actions,” she said.

“You were not involved in burning the car, you were the driver.”

Originally published as Cairns crime: Jack Beattie sentenced for carnal knowledge