A RISK TO THE VULNERABLE

WAYNE Clifford Howlett might have spared an intellectually disabled woman the added trauma of having to endure the scrutiny of a District Court trial when he pleaded guilty to indecent dealing and sexual assault.

But that means little when considered alongside his appalling exploitation of the young woman’s vulnerability.

Severe damage was caused to his victim back in 2016 when he approached her as she exercised the small amount of freedom that her family and support services thought she was capable of handling – a walk to the park – and abused the confidence and trust that had taken years for her to develop.

Even then her mother was nervous and would phone to make sure she was safe. When her daughter did not answer on this occasion her instincts were correct. She rushed to the park to search for her but it was too late.

Howlett was a stranger. He asked the young woman for sex. She refused, but he ignored that and took her into the bushes anyway and sexually assaulted her. His defence argued he had removed his hearing aid and could not hear her say “no’’.

District Court Judge Katherine McGinness yesterday made it very clear she had a problem with Howlett’s actions at that point. “Not only was she incapable of consent, but she also said no,’’ the judge said.

Howlett, at age 74, is now facing time in prison, despite submissions from the prosecution and defence that suggest the sentence could be suspended.

The judge is not convinced, says a custodial sentence is a definite option and will decide once she has read the psychological reports.

In the court of public opinion, Howlett has committed a dreadful crime and should be punished.

But what will surprise many in the community is the fact he has been allowed out on bail.

In a city where there has been considerable debate about bail and early parole, and the difficulty in having GPS trackers delivered to the Gold Coast quickly from Brisbane so that offenders – if required – can be monitored, there is unease that he is not in custody while awaiting sentence.

Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston says he is a danger to vulnerable people. It cannot be argued otherwise.

Despite whatever attempts he has made to “get on top of his problems’’ – as his barrister suggests – Howlett is condemned by his actions in 2016.