Carer tried to have sex with disabled client
A CARER has been jailed after attempting to rape a severely disabled woman at a Townsville care facility. David Jack Peter Cottam abused a position of trust he held as a carer with support service Cootharinga North Queensland when he attempted to have sex with a 44- yearold client who could not walk, talk or defend herself. Cottam was sentenced in Townsville District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to one count of abuse or attempted abuse of a person with impairment of the mind as a guardian or carer. The court heard the offence took place on December 26, 2016, while Cottam was supposed to be looking after his victim.
Crown Prosecutor Dane Marley said Cottam had a meeting with Cootharinga management after the incident where he admitted he had committed the act for his own sexual satisfaction.
The 44- year- old victim suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, microcephaly and an intellectual impairment.
Cottam’s defence barrister Anthony Collins claimed his client was “obviously suffering some kind on underlying condition” but psychologist reports presented to the court suggested there was no diagnosable issue with the 24- yearold.
Mr Collins presented a letter from Steven Cottam, the guilty man’s father, which claimed his son had a trau- matic upbringing as a result of schoolyard bullying and his parents’ separation.
The victim’s sister, speaking to the Bulletin outside court after the matter was finalised, said her sister’s attacker had no understanding of a “difficult upbringing”.
“As they were reading out what a hard life is I was like you’ve got to be kidding, my sister has never walked on the earth in her life, she lives in pain, can’t talk,” she said.
“I found that very confronting and disgusting.
“He’s got a gifted wonderful life from the start of his life compared to what my sister has had and then he’s done this horrible crime to her.”
Mr Lynham noted Cottam’s young age, early guilty plea and lack of criminal history when sentencing him to three years imprisonment, to be eligible for parole in 12 months.