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Decorated former naval officer David Graham faces long jail stint for child sex offending

A FORMER naval officer who committed a series of vile sex offences against two children will likely emerge from jail nearly broke, unemployable and will likely have to rely on his ‘old mates network’, a court has heard.

Commander David Graham, before he was found guilty of child sex offences
Commander David Graham, before he was found guilty of child sex offences

A FORMER naval officer who committed a series of vile sex offences against two children will likely emerge from jail nearly broke, unemployable and will likely have to rely on his “old mates network” a court has heard.

Former naval commander David Edward Lindsay Graham, 50, appeared in the Supreme Court on Wednesday after a jury last week found him guilty of a series of seven child sex offences.

David Graham (left) being presented with the Conspicuous Service Cross. PICTURE: Royal Australian Navy/Supplied
David Graham (left) being presented with the Conspicuous Service Cross. PICTURE: Royal Australian Navy/Supplied
David Graham. PICTURE: Royal Australian Navy/Supplied
David Graham. PICTURE: Royal Australian Navy/Supplied

Graham’s barrister, Tom Berkley, said his client suffered public humiliation throughout his eight day trial.

“Not only the public humiliation he has already suffered, not only to the public at large, but within the navy community, which was his life and it’s going to continue after today,” Mr Berkley said.

Mr Berkley said Graham would sort his life out after he gets out of jail.

“He will find some way to live and get some sort of work, it may be through an old mates’ network,” he said.

Crown prosecutor Stephen Geary said Graham should be handed a head sentence of five years or longer, which would mean Justice Graham Hiley would have to impose a non-parole period.

He said Graham had not shown any remorse.

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“Most likely it’s … because when people acknowledge sexual offending against children their support networks tend to disappear,” he said.

Graham will be a registered sex offender for 15 years and Mr Berkley said he would soon be sacked from his job with Deloitte.

Justice Hiley will sentence Graham next week.

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/crime-court/decorated-former-naval-officer-david-graham-faces-long-jail-stint-for-child-sex-offending/news-story/abf121fce1add88eb2067060c26d82e4