Brian Woltmann: Gold Coast volunteer sentenced for historical child sexual abuse

A high-achieving Brisbane businessman, and, later, respected community volunteer on the Gold Coast harboured a dark secret. Those secrets were exposed before a judge this week.

Springwood man Brian John Woltmann leaving Southport Courthouse on July 14, 2025. Picture: Alex Treacy

A southeast Queensland retiree who preyed on an adolescent girl in the late ’60s and early ’70s has finally been hauled before a court to face justice.

Springwood man Brian John Woltmann, 86, appeared in Southport District Court on Monday, July 14, where he pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent treatment of a girl under the age of 17 (as it was known at the time of the offending).

Woltmann, who at the time was a businessman with his own flooring company, was aged between 30 and 34 at the time of the offending.

The defendant assaulted the complainant on four separate occasions.

During the first attack in his caravan at a Tallebudgera holiday park, he began massaging her breasts outside her swimwear while he “made moaning sounds,” Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy told the court.

Woltmann then pulled her swimmers down and began digitally penetrating her, causing “pain and discomfort,” while forcing her to masturbate him.

Springwood man Brian John Woltmann (left), 86, leaving Southport Courthouse on July 14, 2025, alongside his son (right). Picture: Alex Treacy

At one point, Woltmann’s father disturbed the pair – the windows of the caravan were open and Woltmann “didn’t attempt to hide his offending,” according to Ms Guy – but the defendant’s dad simply apologised for interrupting, and left the way he came.

Woltmann offended again after taking the complainant to a drive-in theatre.

He made her sit next to him, and rubbed her vagina and made her touch his erect penis, the court heard.

Woltmann offended two further times after picking the girl up from school and taking her to secluded bushland at Nathan, where he digitally penetrated her and forced her to masturbate him.

Ms Guy told the court the offending ceased when Woltmann attempted to take the girl to Nathan a third time.

As Woltmann moved closer to her, she told the defendant she had written down all his details and given them to two school friends, who would go straight to the police if he laid a hand on her ever again.

Woltmann desisted and drove her home.

Brian Woltmann was a respected community volunteer on the Gold Coast in his later years. He is pictured here with the Rotary Club of Ashmore. Picture: File

The court heard the girl made various disclosures to friends and family over the years, but only made a criminal complaint in August 2023 – three years after being forced to face her abuser again, after the defendant and her father found themselves living in proximity.

Woltmann was interviewed in early 2024, denying the charges.

The matter was set down for trial, but at a trial review leading up to the hearing, the defendant indicated he would plead guilty.

In her victim impact statement, which was read to the court by Ms Guy, the complainant said she sustained lifelong effects from the abuse.

They included, initially, plummeting grades, leading into difficulty forming trusting relationships and missed career opportunities.

Most difficult was watching the “profound and negative” effect the offending had on her parents once they learnt of its existence.

Defence counsel John Fraser told the court his client was a successful Brisbane businessman back in the day, establishing a series of flooring, tiling, interior decorating, and carpet cleaning businesses in Brisbane’s inner southeast.

Later, he would establish a Neighbourhood Watch group in the Burleigh area, and he sat as its president for about a decade, the court heard. Woltmann was also heavily involved in Rotary on the Gold Coast.

Mr Fraser said his client, who now lives in an aged care facility, had a plethora of serious health conditions including diabetes, pulmonary embolism, angina, and Parkinson’s disease.

Judge Jodie Wooldridge KC sentenced Woltmann to two years’ imprisonment – the maximum available under the law as it was at the time of the offending – but wholly suspended it for four years.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Brian Woltmann: Gold Coast volunteer sentenced for historical child sexual abuse