Man to be sentenced for sexually abusing girls over decade
A 70-year-old faces sentencing on Tuesday in ACT Supreme Court for sexually abusing a 10-year-old in 2022 and a 14-year-old a decade earlier.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of persistent sexual abuse of a child and other charges. The man met the 14-year-old girl at a sports club and later posed as a spiritual mentor while grooming and abusing her.
In emails, he told her they "may have been lovers in a previous life" and claimed the universe had sent him to help her. The man was the step-grandparent of the younger victim.
The girl told her stepmother about the abuse, which Chief Justice Lucy McCallum called a striking act of courage. At a sentencing hearing in July, the 14-year-old told the man: "I choose not to be defined by your actions.
I will continue to grow and heal." The Chief Justice noted the man shows no remorse.
His lawyer acknowledged a prison sentence was the only option but asked the court to consider his age.
- 70 years old
- Man's age
- Tuesday, October 6, in ACT Supreme Court
- Sentencing date
Why it mattersThe case shows how abusers can hide in positions of trust and how children who report abuse need to be believed and protected.
AustraliaACT courts handle serious abuse cases across the territory; this sentencing reinforces consequences for child sexual abuse.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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