A father who sexually abused his own daughter from the age of 12 has been jailed after the girl’s boyfriend reported it to police.
The 40-year-old, who cannot be identified to protect his victim, fronted Hervey Bay District Court in Queensland on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his own child.
Over a three-year period, the man molested the girl, orally and digitally penetrated her, and masturbated in between her legs, the Fraser Coast Chronicle reported.
A father who sexually abused his own daughter from the age of 12 has been jailed after the girl’s boyfriend reported it to police
When the horrific charges were read out in court last week, the girl, now 17, was sitting in the public gallery to see the man who offended her come to justice.
Crown prosecutor Jane Shaw on Monday said the offending not only had the potential to corrupt a child but also the potential to destroy them.
‘He was her father which makes it all the worse. It was the most egregious breach of trust,’ Ms Shaw said.
The man’s actions weren’t that of a father because there was a complete breach of trust and he treated the girl as an ‘object of his own sexual gratification’, she said.
Ms Shaw said the offending usually took place late at night, when the girl’s brothers were sleeping, and if she reused the man would threaten to take away privileges.
On one occasion, the man attempted to sodomise the girl, and another time, she awoke to find her father filming her genitals with his phone, the court heard.
At the time, the girl demanded her father delete the images, and shortly afterwards she told her boyfriend – who reported the abuse to her school.
Police later issued a warrant to search the 40-year-old’s home, at which point he admitted some of the offending, the court heard.
Ms Shaw said the man tried to make it appear as though the victim has seduced him, which she said is not accepted by the crown, nor is it an excuse.
She described how the girl has also had to endure the pain of losing her family and support system as a result of the abuse being reported.
The 40-year-old, who cannot be identified to protect his victim, fronted Hervey Bay District Court (pictured) on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his own child
The 17-year-old is still attending school but now finds herself with no family support, no money and suffering from mental health issues, she said.
The man’s defence barrister, Peter Ruttledge, instructed by McGarvie Family Law Practice, told the court the man himself had been a victim of sexual abuse.
He described how the man suffered from anxiety and depression, and how alcohol had been a problem for him, resulting in the breakdown of his marriage.
‘There has been a move from a position where he lacked insight into his offending to understanding he has abused his position of trust,’ Mr Ruttledge said.
When handing down his sentence, Justice Martin Moynihan acknowledged the man’s limited criminal history, his plea, cooperation and willingness to undertake therapy.
Justice Moynihan also pointed out that on occasions the man provided the girl with sex toys, which he had encouraged her to use.
‘I note the complainant’s brave presence here today,’ he said.
The man was sentenced to seven years jail and will be eligible for parole in 2021.
He appeared in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court two days later, charged with two breach of bail – but no further penalty was imposed.