A woman who was raped and pimped out by her ex-husband, who campaigned against domestic violence, has expressed her relief when he was convicted.
Jon Seccull, 46, has been found guilty of raping his then-wife Michelle Skewes – who Daily Mail Australia allowed to name her – multiple times between February 2014 and September 2015.
The ‘ruthless’ former White Ribbon ambassador was sentenced on Wednesday by Judge Sarah Dawes at the County Court in Ballarat, Victoria, to nine years and nine months in prison, with a non-parole period of six years and 10 months.
Seccull’s name will also be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life after he was found guilty of three charges of rape and one charge of threatening serious violence.
Jon Seccull (pictured right) has been found guilty of raping his then-wife Michelle Skwes (pictured left) multiple times between February 2014 and September 2015
“The sentence was better than I expected and the fact he is on the sex offenders register for life is absolutely huge,” Ms Skewes told police. Herald Sun.
Judge Dawes told Seccull she “could not conclude that you have any remorse.”
“You claimed the penetration was consensual… and denied threatening her.”
The judge ruled that Seccull’s sexual and verbal abuse was a ‘fundamental breach of trust’ and that his behavior was ‘humiliating and volatile’.
Seccull, who appeared via video link in prison clothes, has already spent 612 days in custody.
His prison sentence comes two years after he appealed his 2021 conviction, claiming he was not given a fair trial under Judge Frank Gucciardo when he was given a 15-year prison sentence with a non-parole period of 10 years and six months.
The court heard that Secull and Ms Skewes would arrange for her to meet other men for sex, which was broadcast live for him to watch.
Ms Skewes spoke of her relief after Secull was convicted.
“My relief is there, (but) it is also tempered because he has already launched a new appeal,” Ms Skewes told the ABC.
“It’s a refusal to take responsibility.”
She said she planned to move on with her life as best she could.
“I’m just going to try to put this behind me and live my life without him influencing it,” Ms Skewes said.
‘The support I have received from people near and far, from people I know and people I don’t, has been amazing.’
She added that she hoped others who have suffered violence from a partner will be able to see this outcome as proof that no one was “untouchable.”
“It can be the hardest decision they’ve ever made, the decision to leave someone who treats you like that,” she said.
Seccull (pictured left), who appeared via video link in prison clothes, has already spent 612 days in custody. Michelle Skewes is pictured on the right
The court heard the Secull (pictured right) and Ms Skewes (left) would arrange to meet other men for sex, which was broadcast live for him to watch
“I hope the end result… of someone who seems almost untouchable being held accountable… helps.”
Ms Skewes said victims ‘deserve to be treated with respect and they should not have to stay in a relationship that doesn’t give them that’.
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