40-year wait for justice

GEELONG woman Jacinta Welch has finally received justice in the Geelong County Court, with her abuser, a former Geelong mechanic, sentenced to prison for crimes of historic sexual abuse.

Gary Bruce, 68, was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to abusing Jacinta and her older sister Elizabeth, the two daughters of his former partner, over a three-year period.

Bruce was aged between 27 and 30 and the victims between 10 and 13 at the time of the offending.

The court heard that on one occasion Bruce forced his penis into the mouth of then 10-year-old Jacinta before ejaculating while her mother slept only metres away.

He admitted to penetrating her on up to seven other occasions over the years, some of which Jacinta had mentally blocked out due to trauma.

Now free from what she has described as a 40-year secret, Jacinta, 50, said she was relieved to see her abuser brought to justice.

“For me, it has felt like I served a 40-year sentence and now he will be serving at least three (of the five years), but any sentence he got I was going to be happy with as long as the secret was out,” she said.

For many years Jacinta thought about telling someone, but feared no one would believe her and was left feeling confused and ashamed.

The crimes committed against the Welch sisters happened in the 1980s.

But Jacinta and Elizabeth only came forward in 2020, after Jacinta became aware of Bruce’s 30-year involvement with Bethany Community Services, where he had been volunteering with children.

“It has been a hard but a good experience,” Jacinta said.

“I am viewing this as a new start in life.

“Yes, I have lost the last 40 years, but I am also viewing it as the next 40 years are now for me.

“I will never lose my voice again.”

Bruce pleaded guilty to multiple counts of indecent assault and sexual penetration, with the court hearing that he “wasn’t getting arousement” from the victims’ mother and “took it out on the kids”.

Judge Michael Tinney said the offending was serious, as was the breach of trust.

“You have been living a life without any hint or stain or blemish for all those decades while your victims have lived with and laboured under this secret,” Judge Tinney said.

“They have waited more than half a lifetime to be vindicated.

“You should be ashamed of yourself.”