Milton Orkopoulos: Paedophile MP confronted by victims in court

Disgraced former MP and twice-convicted pedophile Milton Orkopoulos has been confronted with the harrowing details of how his young victims spiraled into drug addiction, mental illness and ruin as he faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars .

The former NSW Labor member for Swansea and Aboriginal affairs minister was found guilty earlier this year of a series of charges relating to the sexual abuse of four young victims and awaits his fate.

He will be sentenced later this year after a court jury found him guilty of 28 counts of sexually assaulting four young boys in the Lake Macquarie region and on the NSW Mid North Coast from 1993 to 2003.

Orkopoulos, 66, challenged the charges at trial; however, he was found guilty of using his powerful position in the community to supply his victims with drugs before abusing them.

Wearing a prison green tracksuit, he watched via video link on Friday as Sydney’s Downing Center District Court read victim impact statements from three of the men he abused when they were young boys and teenagers.

The statements were read to the court by a victim support officer and all detailed how their lives spiraled out of control after being abused by Orkopoulos.

One victim told the court that as a result of Orkopoulos’ sexual abuse, his relationship with his parents had broken down and he had been living on the streets, often without food or money.

“My education was greatly disrupted and I never got back on track,” the man said in the statement.

Orkopoulos, 66, challenged the charges at trial

‘After school I found it difficult to find a good job with my level of education. And when I did find a job, I found it hard to struggle with all this depression and confusion, as well as homelessness and drug addiction.

“I felt so confused. I thought no one believed me, even everyone hated me.’

Another Orkopoulos victim said he had been homeless and in prison for most of his life. He struggled with anxiety, depression, anger and suicidal thoughts.

He said the abuse tore his family apart and his loved ones didn’t understand because “I didn’t confide in them, I was alone with my trauma.”

“I have been homeless many times and have found it difficult to keep a job,” he said.

“I have been in prison most of my life. I’ve been doing drugs since I was 11 – I started doing weed at 11, stealing money from my parents to buy alcohol, stealing alcohol and cigarettes.

“I started going to juvenile detention when I was eleven and twelve. I’ve had multiple overdoses and a drug induced heart attack. I used drugs as a way to escape.”

The court was told that a third victim endured confusion, anxiety, depression, PTSD, flashbacks and nightmares and became a daily drug user at the age of 13.

“Because of you, I spent years in prison because of my addiction that you gave me,” he said.

“I was first arrested when I was 11 and went to juvenile court at 12.

“You and the juvenile justice experience have ruined me. It gave me a dirty taste of what was to come.’

Earlier this year, Orkopoulos was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual intercourse with a child, six counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency and seven counts of supplying a banned drug.

Earlier this year, Orkopoulos was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual intercourse with a child, six counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency and seven counts of supplying a banned drug.

He was also found not guilty on some counts of supplying a banned drug and perverting the course of justice.

He was found guilty of sexual intercourse with a child with three boys and assault on the other.

Orkopoulos was previously convicted of similar charges after being found guilty of abusing three boys and now faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison.

Orkopoulos was paroled in December 2019 after serving eleven and a half years.

However, he returned to prison three months later after being arrested for violating his parole terms.

While in custody, Orkopoulos was charged with further crimes for which he has now been found guilty.

NSW police said in June that Orkopoulos was being treated for head, body and leg injuries after being beaten at Long Bay Correctional Complex.

Orkopoulos was hospitalized after the alleged incident and earlier this week a 25-year-old fellow prisoner was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

He appeared before Waverley Local Court on Thursday and will appear next week.

Orkopoulos will return to court in November to be sentenced.

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