Darwin man Gavin Calma jailed for child abuse

A former Larrakia Nation patrolman was on work suspension when police found children’s clothing in his car. However, it was on the man’s mobile device that the full extent of his depraved behaviour was discovered. Details.

Gavin Calma, 46, has been jailed for sexually abusing a young girl in his care.

A Darwin night patroller who sexually abused a child under his care is at ‘high risk’ of reoffending, a court has been told.

On Tuesday morning, former Larrakia Nation patrolman Gavin Calma was sentenced at the NT Supreme Court after he was found guilty of three counts of aggravated sexual intercourse and gross indecency against a child under 10 and four counts of indecent dealing against a child.

He was also found guilty to four counts of producing child abuse material.

Calma, now 46, was arrested in November 2022 after police received intelligence leading them to his residence.

During a property search, children’s shorts were found in Calma’s vehicle, as well as two mobile phones – one of which was loaded with 216 images of child abuse material.

While sweeping the area, police also found a letter from Larrakia Nation informing Calma he was suspended following allegations of inappropriate text messaging with a minor.

The court heard that Calma sexually abused the child while her mother was at work. Picture: Zizi Averill.

Calma’s victim was later identified to be the daughter of an acquaintance, who Calma would occasionally supervise.

After initially denying the offence, Calma would make full admissions to having exploited the girl.

The details of the offending is too graphic for publication.

Justice Jenny Blokland said the offender’s actions represented a “gross breach of trust”.

“You took advantage of being able to access the complainant when her mother was at work - the only explanation is the pursuit of sexual gratification by exploiting a vulnerable child,” she said.

“The moral culpability is at a very high level, the tender age of the victim and the age disparity adds to the assessment of the gravity of the offending and places it in a serious category.”

For seven years Calma worked for Larrakia Nation, before he was suspended by the service. Photograph: Che Chorley.

The court heard Calma had no criminal history and, until his arrest, was regarded as someone of “good character”.

Also noted was his professional background, which included work as a night patrol officer with the Tiwi Land Council before joining Larrakia Nation, where he worked for seven years until his suspension.

A psychological report found Calma’s sexual behaviour may have been brought upon by sexual dysfunction in adulthood, combined with long term substance abuse.

The report also said Calma showed “indications of impulsiveness”.

“It is reported that he would benefit from stress related counselling – nevertheless, he is considered a high risk of reoffending,” Justice Blokland said.

Calma was sentenced to a total of eight years imprisonment, backdated to November 25, 2022.

A non-parole period of five years and six months was imposed.

Originally published as Darwin man Gavin Calma jailed for child abuse