Former Flint House resident to be sentenced over sexual abuse of teenage girl on-site
A man who sexually abused a teenage girl while living at a Tasmanian homeless shelter will soon be sentenced for his crime.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A HOBART man in his 40s will soon be sentenced for sexually abusing a teenage girl at the Flint House homeless shelter.
On Friday, Matthew James Butterworth pleaded guilty to the penetrative sexual abuse of a young person, after his charge was downgraded from rape and a count of indecent assault was discharged.
Crown prosecutor Lisa Pennington told the Supreme Court that Butterworth met a vulnerable 15-year-old girl when he was aged 40.
She said the girl was subject to a care and protection order and had been living in a group home when she met him at the Wellington Centre, near Elizabeth Street mall, asking him for a cigarette.
The pair began spending time together, with the girl’s accommodation provider becoming concerned about what they called Wellington’s “grooming behaviour” and the fact the girl was spending weeks away from her care home.
When police were notified, they attended Butterworth’s Claremont address, finding the girl in his bed.
Child Safety Services then made a restraining order to keep Butterworth away from the girl, but despite this they remained in contact.
In August 2019, Butterworth moved into the New Town Flint House homeless shelter, with the girl staying overnight and sexual intercourse taking place.
Police turned up the next day, taking the girl – who denied any sexual relationship – back to her care home.
Butterworth was arrested and his phone seized, with police finding a number of messages of a romantic and sexual nature.
The girl later disclosed the abuse to her grandparents and a child safety officer.
“The offending is aggravated by the existence of a restraining order. There had been a protective instrument put in place to protect the complainant,” Ms Pennington said.
“The accused was aware of her circumstances and that she was under care at the time.”
Defence barrister Andrei Slicer said the intercourse was a consensual act and that it wasn’t a serious example of the crime, partly due to the fact she was then aged 16 years and eight months.
Butterworth was remanded in custody, and will be sentenced on October 27.
More Coverage
Barefoot interstate tourist fails Cradle Mountain climb attempt
A walker who attempted to climb Cradle Mountain barefoot has been assisted to safety after reporting he was unable to walk. The details.
Everybody appearing at Hobart Magistrates Court, Friday, October 11
Here is a list of people appearing at Hobart Magistrates Court on October 11.