Speedway driver jailed for grooming and sexually assaulting teenage girl
Dustin Gary Higgs was sentenced to 4 years 3 months for sexually penetrating a 15-year-old girl.
A West Australian speedway driver has been sentenced to 4 years 3 months for grooming and sexually assaulting a teenage girl. Dustin Gary Higgs met his victim through the speedway community in early 2022 when she was 15 years old.
Higgs sent her compliments on social media and booked hotel rooms for sexual encounters. The jury rejected his defence that the relationship only became sexual after she turned 16.
District Court Judge Gary Massey said Higgs "knew this offending was wrong and did it anyway". Higgs is eligible for parole in January 2029.
- 4 years 3 months
- Sentence length
- 15 years old when met
- Victim's age
- January 2022
- When offending began
- January 2029
- Parole eligibility
Why it mattersDemonstrates courts will impose jail time for child sexual exploitation even when the offender raises medical circumstances as mitigation.
AustraliaSets precedent from WA District Court on sentencing for child sexual assault; permanent restraining order prevents contact with victim.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
