Supreme Court
Decision Information
Summary: When accused was 22 years old he forcibly entered bedroom of 13 year old girl and raped her. Approximately two years later forced 12 or 13 year old girl into truck cab at community Christmas function and tried to rape her - only stopped by her friends. Now man is father of seven, grandfather to two, supports family through employment in trades. Past incidents are a blur to him. Jury finds accused guilty on both counts. Court finds very strict approach in sentencing men who sexually abuse young children in this jurisdiction - invariably imprisonment to denounce this kind of behavior as appalling and unacceptable. Community entitled to expect that young girls are safe from drunk or sober men.
Decision: Sentence - Four year global sentence. Four years for unlawful sexual intercourse, and two years concurrent for indecent assault
Subjects: Criminal law - Sexual offences - Rape
Criminal law - Sentencing - Principles - General deterrence