Girl blamed for years of sex abuse

A FORMER cabinet maker who repeatedly raped a girl for four years has been lectured for his “audacity” to blame the child for his “horrible, horrible” crimes.

The 52-year-old man, who is on a disability pension, abused the girl – the daughter of his then partner – at least three times a week, including oral rape, the Southport District Court was told on Thursday (April 14).

The man, who cannot be named in order to protect the girl, pleaded guilty to maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child.

When the girl’s mother confronted him he claimed the girl – who was between eight and 12 – had raped him and was promiscuous. He also claimed: “It was hard for a guy.”

Judge Michael Williamson told him: “The conduct on any view is appalling, grotesque and undoubtedly it was frequent. The extent you might be remorseful for this horrible, horrible offending … I have serious misgivings if you are remorseful.

“The context of that phone call (with her mother) is victim blaming and offensive and you had the audacity – the audacity – to suggest a child of eight to 12 years raped a mature man in his forties.”

Judge Williamson sentenced him to seven years’ prison with parole eligibility on February 20, 2024.

He had served 175 days in pre-sentence custody.

Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook told the court the man started abusing the girl while he was living with her mother.

He said the girl was subjected to “hundreds” of oral rapes at least three times a week. It did not stop until the girl got older and began to refuse his advances, the court was told.

Mr Cook said the man had attempted to normalise the behaviour with the girl.

Defence barrister Micheal Bonasia said the man was remorseful and had the support of his adult children.

He told the court the man was a cabinet maker until a workplace injury meant he could no longer work.