A 64-year-old man has been given a 10 month jail sentence for sexually abusing his young step-daughter over an 11 year period.

The man (who cannot be identified) pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to eight counts in total, seven counts of indecent treatment of a child under 14 and one of indecent dealing with a child under 16.
The court heard that the offences occurred in Brisbane and began in 1976 when the girl was three and continued until she was 14 years old. Most of the offences were said to have taken place in the evening at their family home in Brisbane while the girl's mother was at work. On the final occasion the man assaulted the 14-year-old girl in his office at his work.

The victim, now 34, did not make a complaint until 2004 when police arrested the man in Melbourne. She and her sons were in court today for the final ruling on the incidents.

Prosecutor Callum Cassidy said the offences involved acts of digital penetration, oral sex and intercourse.
The court was told that the frightened girl was repeatedly warned by the offender not to tell anybody about the abuse or he would go to jail and she would be sent to a girls' home as a consequence. I addition, he told her he only touched her because he loved her, and on one occasion enticed her into sexual acts by promising to buy her a pony.

Defence barrister Greg Maguire told the court his client feels remorseful for his actions and that he had lived with the offences "hanging over his head" for many years. It was also revealed that the man has been suffering ongoing health problems since developing thyroid cancer several years ago.

Judge Kerry O'Brien sentenced the man to three years jail to be suspended after 10 months.

Doesn’t quite sound appropriate for such a prolonged and aggressive period of abuse, does it? Have your say by commenting below..

Tags: sexual abuse