Sentencing following guilty pleas to multiple counts of sexual assault, sexual interference, and sexual touching against two teenaged family members over a period of years.
The court held that denunciation, deterrence, and separation from society were paramount given the victims' ages, the offender's position of trust, the repeated and intrusive nature of the abuse, and the profound emotional harm caused.
Mitigating factors included the guilty pleas, lack of prior record, waiver of the preliminary hearing, expressions of remorse, and willingness to pursue counselling.
A joint submission was accepted and a custodial sentence of three years, less enhanced credit for pre-sentence custody, followed by 18 months' probation and ancillary orders, was imposed.
