Stephen Michael Sidney Tilbrook convicted for rape, indecent treatment, sexual assault

When he admitted sending an underage teenager a vile Snapchat he called it a one off mistake, but he had already raped a child and sexually assaulted a woman.

Stephen Michael Sidney Tilbrook pleaded guilty to indecent treatment of a child in Mackay District Court. Photo: Contributed

A married Mackay region father called his indecent treatment of an underage teenager a ‘single lapse of judgement’ when he sent a teen a vile Snapchat, but new victims have revealed their own suffering at his hands.

He’s now pleaded guilty to raping a child, indecently abusing a child six times, and sexually assaulting a young woman — all of which happened before his abuse of the Snapchat victim.

Stephen Michael Sidney Tillbrook blamed his binge drinking when he faced court for sending a teenager a vile Snapchat in 2023, and called it a one off mistake, supported by his wife in court.

When he faced Mackay’s District Court on February 28, Defence Barrister Scott McLennan said Tillbrook admitted he “had challenges with his disclosure earlier”, as the depraved details of his offending were aired.

District Judge Gregory Lynham said Tillbrook’s offending was persistent and he had profoundly affected his victims with the assault. Photo: Contributed

The court heard his worst crimes were against a pre-teen girl over a period of five months.

Of the six indecent assaults against her, one included using a blanket to hide another child’s view first, who was then removed from the room before his offending.

The victim asked him to leave, but he got on top of her again and rolled her onto her stomach.

“She tried to push him away … one of his hands has gone under her clothing,” Crown Prosecutor Monique Sheppard said.

The child was able to run out of the room.

But child predator Tillbrook kept pursuing the little girl, indecently assaulting her a total of six times, and raping while swimming months later.

Ms Sheppard told the court he swam out to her and raped her digitally.

It was only when another child came toward them that he released her.

The victim eventually told friends at school, leading to teachers, police and parents learning the truth.

Tillbrook repeatedly abused a little girl, and sexually assaulted a woman.

The young girl’s mother said her world changed when she learned her daughter was victimised.

“I will always think of … the year my family’s life changed forever,” the mother said.

“Remembering our lives before all of this happened … to now has been especially painful and seeing my fun loving, happy, bubbly little girl get lost and turn to dark places has been heartbreaking.”

She said Tillbrook used children as a “decoy to distance me from seeing what was happening”.

“It sickens me to my stomach every time I think about what she was going through,” she said.

Tillbrook was a repeat, consistent abuser of women and young girls.

On an evening between July 2008 and January 2009 Tillbrook was visiting the Mackay region to get his mining ticket when he sexually assaulted a woman.

She had kindly laid out a mattress for Tillbrook before he pushed her onto it, and jumped on top, forcing himself on top of her while clothed.

She was ultimately able to “buck him” off of her and kick him, later calling Tillbrook’s wife and telling her what had happened.

After being confronted Tillbrook blamed his victim.

He claimed he “was drunk” and “she was asking for it” when speaking with his wife.

A harrowing victim impact statement made it clear the sexual assault marred her life.

“I often wake up in tears, unable to get my breath back because I have constant nightmares,” the victim said.

“I cannot be in healthy relationships.

“I cannot love, I cannot trust.

“That’s because of you.”

Judge Lynham said Tillbrook's behaviour was “appalling” and his offending was persistent.

“It seems that judging by the contents of the parole and probation report, he lacked any insight, in fact he was victim blaming,” she said.

Mr McLennan said his client “apologises to the complainants and he says all he can say is he’s arranged treatment and he’s committed to continuing that treatment”.

For raping a child once, abusing her six times, and sexually assaulting a woman, Judge Lynham sentenced Tillbrook to four years imprisonment, suspended after he served 501 days in custody from October 16, 2023 to February 27, 2025.

He qualified to walk free from custody shortly after his sentencing.

Tillbrook was ordered to serve three years probation, and required to attend a sexual offenders treatment program.

Originally published as Stephen Michael Sidney Tilbrook convicted for rape, indecent treatment, sexual assault