Man jailed for sex with step-daughter

A MAN who maintained a sexual relationship with his step-daughter that spanned more than three years was jailed for six years yesterday.

Ipswich District Court heard the 40-year-old, who cannot be named because it could identify the victim, had sex with the girl regularly between December 1997 and January 2001, when she was aged between 13 and 16.

Crown Prosecutor Ron Swanwick said the offences occurred while the man was in a relationship with the girl's mother.

The girl was living with her mother at Boonah and later at Ipswich.

Mr Swanwick told the court there had been several instances of indecent touching before the pair entered into a full sexual relationship.

The mother was often working and had left her daughter in the care of the stepfather when the unprotected sexual encounters took place.

The offending stopped temporarily when the victim eventually told her mother, but later continued without her knowledge.

“It was a serious breach of trust...involving sexual intercourse up to four or five times per week,” Mr Swanwick said.

“(The defendant) should have known better - which is something he himself seems to acknowledge.”

The victim made an official complaint to Yamanto police in February last year, prompting the man to make full admissions to the relationship.

Defence barrister Peter Sloane quoted part of the police interview transcript in an attempt to show the court his client's remorse.

“I'm disgusted with myself. I was in a position of trust and I abused it,” Mr Sloane read.

Mr Sloane said his client now had young daughters of his own - something that helped him realise how much he had taken from his victim and her loved ones.

“He hopes he can redeem himself when he gets out (of jail),” Mr Sloane said.

Judge Deborah Richards said the offending was aggravated by the fact that it continued even after the victim's mother was informed.

“This involves the full corruption of (the victim) to the point where she was acquiescent,” Judge Richards said.

“It was also unprotected sex so you are extremely lucky she did not fall pregnant.”

Judge Richards said jail was the only option and the only question was how long the man should spend there.

He will be eligible for parole on April 20, 2011.