Tablelands father, 38, jailed for indecently assaulting daughter, 7, three times

A Tablelands father has been sentenced to two years jail for a “brazen” indecent assault on his young daughter under a blanket while his family sat nearby, watching television in the same room.

A Tablelands father, 38, was sentenced to jailed at Cairns District Court, for indecently assaulting daughter, 7, three times. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Daddy, you’re doing it again” were the words spoken by a little girl, 8, while she watched television with her family, which brought to light her father’s indecent treatment of her.

A Tablelands man, 38, pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court to three counts of indecently dealing with a child under 12 who is a lineal descendant and was sentenced by Judge Joshua Trevino KC to two years jail.

The court was told the man had been indecently dealing with his daughter under a blanket on the couch at the time she made the statement – while the girl’s mother and brother were also in the room watching television.

“The offending was persistent, invasive and brazen, having taken place in the family home while others were present,” Judge Trevino said.

Judge Joshua Trevino KC said the offending of the Tablelands man against his daughter, 7, was persistent and invasive. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

“You also engaged in emotional manipulation to keep her silent.

“You told your daughter that it was your secret, that her mother would leave the family if the girl ‘told’ and you made her give a pinky promise.

“No doubt, this offending conduct will cause her irreparable harm into the future.”

He noted the mother’s victim impact statement, that described the sadness, shock and disruption caused to their family.

Crown prosecutor Christian Peters told the court the three offences occurred when they girl was aged seven and eight years of age in 2022 and 2023.

A 7-year-old’s comment alerted her mother about her father’s offending.

The offending came to light when the girl made the comment ‘Daddy, you’re doing it again’, prompting the girl’s mother, who was in the room, to ask what her daughter meant by the comment.

The girl replied, “It’s mine and daddy’s secret and he said if I told you would get angry and leave the family.”

She also told her mother what had happened, said Mr Peters, and the mother called the police.

On two of the three occasions, including the last one, other family members were present during the covert abuse.

Defence Barrister James Sheridan said the man had been drinking around 15 cans of alcohol a day at the time of his offending and had sought psychological help.

The man was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, post traumatic shock disorder and pedophilia, Mr Sheridan said.

He also noted the man was sexually abused as a child himself.

Judge Trevino said it was clear the man needed supervision in the community, and needed to take action to address his alcohol abuse and psychological problems.

He set a parole eligibility date of August 2025 for the man.

Originally published as Tablelands father, 38, jailed for indecently assaulting daughter, 7, three times