Kids tell of abusive dad

A 77-YEAR-OLD shows no remorse for inflicting decades of sexual abuse on his children, a court heard yesterday.

His children told the High Court at Palmerston North of the pain, hurt and suffering they felt, when he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

They also expressed disappointment they were unable to take part in restorative justice as he did not show adequate remorse for his crimes.

Justice Jillian Mallon gave no discount for remorse when sentencing, saying there was no sign of any, apart from his guilty pleas, which came after he was given a sentence indication.

The offending took place from 1968 to 1978, and from 1982 to 1992 – against seven victims. The first six victims, his biological children, were abused during the first timeframe, and his stepdaughter during the second.

He raped one daughter and his stepdaughter, and forced them and the other children to perform sex acts on him. His female victims were as young as 3 when he began to indecently assault them, while one son was aged between 1 and 4.

That son read a statement saying he had planned how to kill himself when aged 11 ‘‘because of living in such a destructive environment’’.

One of his daughters said she had an ‘‘alcoholic father who was sexually abusive in the midnight hours’’.

The man’s stepdaughter said he had turned her into a drinker and a user. ‘‘It made me look to gang life, as they made me feel like a family should be.’’

The children’s issues ranged from an absence of trust to violent thoughts about their own children. But many of them spoke of forgiveness, saying they still loved him and did not want prison to be difficult.

The case was one of the longestrunning in the criminal courts, with the charges first getting to court eight years ago.

The man was then assessed to see if he was fit to stand trial, and spent the best part of two years as a special patient due to his mental health.

The judge said the victims had hoped for an apology. ‘‘Sadly for them, that has not been forthcoming.’’