One of Australia’s worst paedophiles has a girlfriend in the Philippines who he met on Skype – and wants her to be granted a visa so they can reunite when he’s released
- Michael Alexander McGarry, 59, repeatedly abused young girls in the 1980s
- He was introduced by a family member to the Filipino woman five years ago
- McGarry developed an emotional relationship over Skype but has never met her
One of Western Australia’s worst pedophiles has a girlfriend in the Philippines who hopes to get a visa so she can be with him, a court has heard, but he was ‘a bit’ embarrassed initially to tell her about his past.
Michael Alexander McGarry, 59, is serving an indefinite jail sentence after being declared a dangerous sex offender in 2009 for repeatedly abusing young girls.
He was also handed a 12 month sentence in the District Court of WA on Wednesday for twice inciting a young female relative to engage in sexual behaviour with another relative in the 1980s, and masturbating while they complied on one occasion in a park.
McGarry was made eligible for parole, although Judge Wendy Gillan acknowledged it ‘may well not have any practical effect’ on his total time behind bars.
Michael Alexander McGarry, 59, is serving an indefinite jail sentence after being declared a dangerous sex offender in 2009 for repeatedly abusing young girls
The court heard the father-of-six, who also has numerous grandchildren, was introduced by a family member to the Filipino woman about five years ago and had developed ‘an emotional relationship’ with her via Skype, but they had not yet met physically.
‘He said it was a bit embarrassing at first to disclose his past to his partner, but he sent all the material to her so that she can peruse it without him putting the gloss (in) if he were to verbally inform her of his offending,’ McGarry’s lawyer Patti Chong said.
The woman had ‘developed’ support for McGarry, Ms Chong said, and he sent her money, including for her adult daughter’s education.
McGarry was made eligible for parole, although Judge Wendy Gillan acknowledged it ‘may well not have any practical effect’ on his total time behind bars
‘His partner is hoping to get a visa to come to Western Australia to be with the offender,’ Ms Chong said.
‘He’s resolved never to reoffend if he’s ever released. He says … he’s sick of his past life and recognises that unless he adheres to conditions and supervision requirements and treatment plan if he’s released, he will probably die in prison.
‘The new family has given him much hope that he will be able to lead a crime-free life and be able to comply with any orders.’
McGarry’s next DSO review was scheduled for February, but will be pushed back as a result of his latest sentence.