Pedophile stepdad jailed for repeatedly abusing five-year-old girl he called his daughter

A trusted father figure molested a five-year-old girl “as often as possible”. When he was finally caught, his true nature and history was exposed.

The 43-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the child who is now just eight years old, pleaded guilty to repeated sexual conduct with a child and three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12, both of which hold maximum penalties of life and 20 years imprisonment.

A pedophile stepdad repeatedly violated his “innocent little girl” until her mother caught him in the act and immediately called police.

This week she sat in Mackay District Court and listened as the atrocities he forced on her five-year-old child over about 18 months were laid bare.

“She is just an innocent little girl. She shouldn’t have had to go through this. She shouldn’t have had to feel like this. She deserves better,” the mum wrote in a victim impact statement.

The offending occurred between 2023 and 2024 in the Mackay region about 15 months after he, then aged 41, started living with the mum and daughter.

Outwardly, he had taken on the role of father figure, she called him “dad” and he was entrusted with her care.

In reality he was abusing that trust and the little girl by exposing himself to her and molesting her with his hands and mouth when her mother was out of the house.

“You would offend against her as often as possible,” Judge Joshua Trevino said.

“Your offending only came to light when your partner caught you abusing the (little girl).

“She challenged you about what you were doing.”

The 43-year-old man has spent 431 days in custody and pleaded guilty to repeated sexual conduct with a child and three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12.

The court heard his offending did not involve physical harm or threats.

When speaking to police he tried to downplay his vile conduct but urging the little girl to tell her mother he was just tickling her – but she told her mother the truth and the police were immediately called.

While he accepted, he did engage in abusive conduct against the child he was not initially prepared to admit to the full extent.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the child, pleaded guilty to repeated sexual conduct with a child and three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12, both of which hold maximum penalties of life and 20 years' imprisonment.

He has been in custody for 431 days.

A psychologist’s report revealed he met the criteria for “pedophilic disorder” and was a medium risk of reoffending in a sexual away against children.

The court heard in 2008, when he was 25, the man had sex with his underage girlfriend who he met on the internet.

He was given good behaviour for 12 months.

“Your persistent and protracted sexual offending against such a young and vulnerable child in your care is incredibly serious,” Judge Trevino said.

“She was only five years of age when your abuse of her began. Your offending involved a level of emotional manipulation of her.

“You told her not to tell anyone … when you were found out, you attempted to manipulate her again.

“I have no doubt that the impacts for this young girl will be long-lasting and that she will carry the burden of what you did to her with her throughout her adulthood.

The prosecution submitted for five years’ jail to serve one third while the man’s barrister Scott Moon submitted for four years with immediate parole eligibility.

“Men like you who commit such heinous crimes against young, vulnerable children should understand that the courts will punish them,” Judge Trevino said.

The man was jailed for four years with parole eligibility in February 2026 after spending about 16 months in custody.

Originally published as Pedophile stepdad jailed for repeatedly abusing five-year-old girl he called his daughter