61-year-old guilty of child sex offences, rape

When the verdict was announced soon after the jury retired, one of the defendant’s supporters walked outside the Gympie courtroom and screamed loudly

John William Spencer leaves Gympie District Court after being found guilty of sex crimes.

A jury took only one hour on Friday afternoon to reach a guilty verdict in the trial of a Gympie man charged with multiple child sex offences, including rape.

John William Spencer will spend a minimum of two years behind bars after being convicted of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16 and in his care at the time.

The 61-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison but will be eligible for parole halfway through his sentence.

Following the guilty verdict, Spencer still maintained his innocence, simply stating “I’m not guilty.”

When the verdict was announced to the courtroom, one of Spencer’s supporters walked outside and screamed.

Gympie District Court.

Before his sentence was read out, the same group of people approached him in the dock, took him by the hands and whispered words of encouragement to him before being asked to sit in the gallery.

Crown Prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher said in relation to Spencer’s crimes, he was opportunistic at times, and other times his actions were premeditated.

She also said both of his young victims are in counselling as a result of the assaults, and Spencer’s actions demonstrated a violation of trust.

“He showed no remorse for his offending,” she said.

“You are dealing with a man who despite the jury’s verdict still refuses to accept that he has been convicted of sexual offences.”

Spencer was sentenced to at least two years behind bars.

Meanwhile, Spencer’s defence lawyer Jason Todman described the 61-year-old as a family man who is greatly admired by those close to him, as was evident from several character references from various family members and one long-term family friend.

The court was closed for most of Friday morning – the fourth day of the trial – as the jury viewed video evidence a second time before coming to a verdict a few hours later.

One young member of the gallery turned towards Spencer in the dock as they were being asked to leave, and said “I love you, Pop” before exiting the courtroom.

For the remainder of the day, Spencer’s supporters waited outside while those in the courtroom listened to video evidence from witnesses and the two victims.

After the court was adjourned for lunch, the verdict was announced one hour later.

Spencer will be eligible for parole in 2023.

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Originally published as 61-year-old guilty of child sex offences, rape