A man who subjected his girlfriend’s sister to sickening abuse for five and a half years was supported by his partner in court as he was convicted of the horrific abuse.
The 25-year-old, who has not been named to protect the identity of the victim, appeared in the Townsville District Court this week where he pleaded guilty to rape, indecent treatment of a child under 12 and seven charges of sexual assault behavior with a child. .
The court heard the victim was just eight when the abuse started at the family home in Burdekin, the court heard Townsville Bulletin.
She woke up when her sister’s boyfriend, then 16 years old, performed a sex act on her.
The girl was also raped once. The details of the abuse are too explicit to publish.
The 25-year-old was sentenced in the Townsville District Court after pleading guilty to rape, indecent treatment of a child under 12 and seven charges of sexual conduct with a child.
The harrowing details also shocked the judge.
“It’s almost sociopathic, he has no empathy for the person he has offended,” Judge Michael Burnett said.
The court heard that after the family moved to the Whitsundays region the crime became more common, with the couple having intercourse several times a week while the victim’s older sister was away from home.
The sickening behavior only came to light in January 2022 when the older sister became suspicious and called an ambulance home after an argument, after which the young girl told paramedics what was happening.
Crown prosecutor Andrew Walklate said the perpetrator manipulated and isolated the victim, telling her he had ‘ruined her life’ due to his own poor mental health.
The man was in a ‘position of trust’ because he had a relationship with – and had children with – the girl’s older brother or sister.
The older sister, who is still with the man, stood at the back of the court with their children when he was sentenced this week.
Mr Walklate read the girl’s heartbreaking impact statement to the court.
“Before the crime, I enjoyed sports, school and hanging out with family and friends,” the girl’s impact statement read.
‘After the offense I pushed everyone away to be alone. I had trust issues with everyone including my mother, sister, teachers and friends. This went on for forever until I told them it really hurt to know they didn’t believe me.
‘I felt alone and worthless.’
The sickening behavior only came to light in January 2022 when the older sister became suspicious and called an ambulance home after an argument, after which the young girl told paramedics what had happened (stock image)
Defense lawyer Ross Malcomson told the court the man himself was young when the offenses began.
He said his client wanted the case concluded so he could move on, but acknowledged he had to face the consequences of his actions.
The man was sentenced to nine years in prison.
He will be eligible for parole in four years.