A MAN who sexually abused two of his grandchildren has been given a three-year suspended prison sentence.
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The man, aged in his 70s, pleaded guilty in the County Court to five charges of committing an indecent act with a child under 16.
The two girls were not yet in their teens when their grandfather abused them.
In one instance, the man assaulted one of the girls in the lounge room while other family members were in the home.
The victim stopped going to her grandfather's home after this incident, and feared being taken to see him.
The man abused another granddaughter while he was tucking her into bed on a night when she went to stay at his home with a cousin.
While touching the girl, he made such comments as, "You're a good girl."
When the man left the room, the girl asked her cousin if he had just touched her too, to which she said he had.
On another occasion, the man asked the girl to sit on his lap, and begun touching her chest and groin area.
He abused her again that same day.
When the first victim asked the man about his offending in a phone call years later, the man said they were "just playing" but admitted "tickling into the groin".
He said he was "terribly sorry if this has occurred".
When the other granddaughter asked him about his offending against her, he said, "I'm sorry I can't recall and I'm having trouble with my memory."
In police interviews, the man said he did not recall his offending against the first child and would not do that intentionally, but he felt something must have happened for the victim to be "so precise" with her statement.
He also told police when asked about the second victim that he would not have touched her inappropriately, and might have rubbed her stomach.
Judge Trevor Wraight told the court the offending was "very serious" as the victims were vulnerable children who relied on adults to care for them.
"Children are entitled to feel safe in circumstances like this," Judge Wraight said.
Judge Wraight said he took into account the man pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and the man's evidence of genuine remorse.
The Judge said the man apologised to both victims when questioned despite not remembering the detail of the offending.
The man cooperated with police, Judge Wraight said, and had never blamed the victims.
Judge Wraight said he accepted the man's complex physical and mental health issues meant prison would be more onerous.
The Judge said he believed the man did not pose a risk to the community.
The man was sentenced to a suspended jail term of three years. He will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
