A federal public servant from Canberra has been sentenced to nine years and six months imprisonment for what a Supreme Court judge described as 'abhorrent' sexual abuse of his teenage niece and step-daughter over nearly three years.
Systematic abuse and exploitation
In the ACT Supreme Court on Friday, November 21, 2025, Acting Justice Patricia Kelly detailed how the man, aged in his 50s, systematically exploited both victims beginning in 2022. The court heard he initially groomed his 14-year-old niece while she lived overseas, using a carriage service to request photos of her face and chest.
Upon the girl's arrival in Canberra, the abuse escalated dramatically. The man forced his niece to perform numerous sexual acts regularly and paid her for these acts, with bank records showing multiple cash transfers ranging from $10 to $350 throughout the abuse period.
When the teenager refused to comply with his demands, the public servant would threaten to involve her cousin - his step-daughter - until she gave in to his coercion.
Hidden camera discovered in bathroom
The court heard the man's offending extended to his step-daughter, whom he secretly filmed showering using a video camera installed in a family bathroom. This led to additional charges of using a child for production of child exploitation material.
The extensive abuse continued until February 2025, when the niece finally disclosed the crimes to her school teachers, who immediately contacted ACT police.
Appearing via video link during sentencing, the man remained expressionless as the judge detailed his repeated and manipulative sexual abuse of both children.
Sentencing and community impact
Acting Justice Kelly emphasised that 'this type of offending is abhorrent to the whole community' while handing down the sentence of nine years and six months imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years.
The judge noted the man had initially denied the allegations and attempted to blame his niece when first facing court. She expressed particular concern about his lack of accountability, stating she had 'little confidence' the victim would be safe if he returned to the family home soon.
Despite character references from government department colleagues describing the behaviour as 'out of character', and having no prior child abuse convictions, the judge imposed a substantial prison term. She noted it was 'regrettably' often men 'of otherwise good character' who appeared before courts on such serious child abuse charges.
The public servant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be eligible for parole in early 2031.
