Maryborough step-grandfather sentenced for maintaining a relationship with a child

A step-granddad who sexually abused two sisters told police the young girls had “manipulated” him and it was their idea when his offending was discovered.

iStock child abuse generic images

After he was caught, a grubby step-grandfather who had been molesting two young sisters told police the children had “manipulated” him into engaging in sexual conduct and it was “their idea”.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to two counts of maintaining a relationship with a child under 16 years when he faced Maryborough District Court this week.

The court heard the man, who was now aged in his 70s, had preyed on the two girls, who were his partner’s grandchildren.

The young sisters would spend periods of their school holidays with their grandmother and the man and they would also occasionally travel to Brisbane to visit for a weekend.

Through those opportunities he sexually abused both of the girls, the court heard.

The offending happened between December 2015 and April 2022.

One of the girl was aged six when the offending started.

The man would molest her, touching and rubbing her, and exposing himself to her.

Maryborough Court House. Photo: Valerie Horton/ Fraser Coast Chronicle.

The other child was five when the abuse started and she was subjected to similar offending, the court was told.

The older sister became concerned about leaving her younger sister with him, so she tried to protect her.

“That wasn’t her role, to have to protect her sister from you,” Judge Vicki Loury said.

The offending was exposed when one of the girls grew older and confided in her boyfriend, who informed her mother.

The man’s partner then confronted him.

He said he was sorry but claimed it was the older child’s “fault”, the court heard.

The man was later interviewed by police and admitted touching both of the girls, but claimed they had manipulated him into engaging in sexual conduct from a young age and that it had been their idea.

The children’s mother read her victim impact statement to the court, saying the abuse had a “profound impact” on her family.

Two young sisters were abused by their step-grandfather.

She said she had been deeply affected by the ordeal in a number of ways and felt responsible for what her children had been through.

The woman said she found it hard to trust men around her daughters.

The court heard the man had lived a law-abiding life up until he started abusing the children and his own children were “shocked and appalled” by his offending.

“For them it is probably difficult to reconcile the man you are standing here in the dock pleading guilty to these offences to the man who raised them,” Judge Loury said.

“You no long maintain the views that you expressed to police that the complainants were willing participants and enjoyed what you were doing to them and in fact you have written a letter of apology to them, which I accept reflects your genuine remorse,” Judge Loury said.

The man had set up a trust fund for them to assist them into the future, she said.

Judge Loury said the maximum penalty for the offence was life imprisonment.

Judge Loury said the maximum penalty for the offence was life imprisonment.

“Your offending is made all the more serious because there are two complainants who you offended against and they were both of a very tender age when you commenced offending against them.

“You were in a position of trust and you betrayed that trust, not only their trust but that of their grandmother and mother in the most appalling of ways.”

Judge Loury said in the mother’s victim impact statement, she had spoken of her sense of failing her children.

“But she did not fail them as a mother and protector,” Judge Loury said.

“She should have been able to trust you to protect her daughters.

“It is you who failed to do so. You should have been protecting and nurturing them but instead you were abusing them in the worst possible way.”

He had engaged in some manipulation by telling the girls not to tell anyone or he would go to jail, Judge Loury said.

The man was sentenced to six years in prison, but Judge Loury said because of his health issues and remorse he would be considered eligible for parole after serving 18 months, on November 2, 2025.

‘Talk of the town’: Retired Maryborough serviceman wins $1 million

Secret data to be released: Big win for Bruce Hwy safety in landmark decision

Originally published as Maryborough step-grandfather sentenced for maintaining a relationship with a child