FORMER Salvation Army network director has been jailed for eight months for sexually assaulting a teenage girl on a youth camp.Lloyd Robert Cassidy, who was freed pending an appeal, abused the 14-year-old victim, who was described as a young and trusting girl.Cassidy kissed and fondled the child on a riverbank and at a sporting oval while supervising the weekend camp at Newbridge, west of Bendigo, in November 1997.Cassidy, now 47, pleaded guilty at the Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday to three counts of indecently assaulting a child under the age of 16.The incidents came to light when the victim confided to her mother and then police last year.Appearing for the Office of Public Prosecutions, Alison Sampson told the court that up until his arrest, Cassidy was working as the community services network director for the Salvation Army.Cassidy began training in 1996 to become a minister with the Salvos, and the following year he was appointed to the Bendigo Corps as a cadet.It was during his involvement in Bendigo that Cassidy met the 14-year-old girl.“The accused became a father/brother figure to (her) and an adviser and indispensable friend to (her mother),” Ms Sampson said.The court was told the pair had a close relationship.“The accused constantly told (her) that she was special to him, and that they had a special bond,” Ms Sampson said.The sexual assaults happened in November that year.In an interview with police, Cassidy never denied the allegations.“She was almost the instigator,” he claimed.“I walked away thinking ‘at least I didn’t break the law’.”Defence lawyer Shane Gardiner said it was accepted that the incidents were serious, and that there was a fair disparity in ages.Mr Gardiner said Cassidy’s wife was mortified by the charges and there had been a widespread loss of reputation.Cassidy, described as a hard worker with a strong sense of social justice and heavily involved in charity work, was the regional co-ordinator for the Red Shield Appeal.He worked for Rotary, flew to Sri Lanka to help those affected after the Indonesian tsunami, and participated on several community boards.He worked with Loddon Mallee Housing Services and now works in a business development role with JG King Homes.The company’s managing director, John King, spoke in court of a man he described as utterly perfect.“He’s a very good leader (and) he’s driven to achieve,” Mr King said.“I don’t think I would ever meet anybody with more integrity.“It really has shocked people to know he’s on charges like this.”Mr Gardiner asked the court to suspend any jail term, arguing that Cassidy was remorseful, had pleaded guilty and needed to be home to support his wife and four-year-old daughter.After deliberating for more than 30 minutes, magistrate Richard Wright returned to court.He said Cassidy took advantage of a trusting child, and he slammed the 47-year-old for his lack of moral fortitude.“I need to send to you the strongest message of denunciation,” he said.Cassidy was convicted and sentenced to eight months’ jail. He will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for eight years.Cassidy, who was flanked by up to 10 supporters, immediately appealed against the sentence.He was granted bail pending an appeal to be heard at the Bendigo County Court.