How Could You? Hall of Shame-Australia-Ruse Foster Carer
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Ruse, Australia, a former foster carer “has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for multiple child sex offences that occurred at Canley Heights and Canley Vale from 1999 until 2009 on his then foster daughter.
The 45-year-old Ruse man was arrested on August 2014 and charged with 21 historical sexual offences including aggravated indecent assault on a victim under authority of the offender, aggravated sexual intercourse with a person under 10 and aggravated sexual intercourse with a person under 16.
A police spokesman said the victim was brave for coming forward.
“She is an amazing young woman,” he said.
“The trauma she suffered for so many years is incomprehensible so, to have an outcome where the offender is given a lengthy sentence, is encouraging for her to move on.”
When the sexual assaults started in 1999, the girl was five years old and living under the care of foster parents in the Canley Vale and Canley Heights area.
The offences continued until the girl turned 16 and found the courage to leave the home she had known for 10 years, the police spokesman said.
The Ruse man pleaded not guilty to the offences on June 27 and stood trial at Parramatta District Court where a jury found him guilty of 16 of the 21 offences.
The man was convicted on four counts of aggravated indecent assault to a victim under the authority of the offender, one count of indecent assault to a victim under the age of 10, one count of sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 10, seven counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years, and three counts of aggravated intercourse with a person under 14.
During sentencing at Campbelltown District Court on October 27, the girl read a victim impact statement that moved the courtroom, including Judge John Pickering.
Judge Pickering handed down a sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment with a non parole period of nine years, saying: “I’m sure she (the victim) has a long way to go in order to try and move forward from what she suffered, but I’m hoping the fact that today (the offender) will be punished for what he did to her, in some respect, will allow her to move on with her life.”
The police spokesman said the historical nature shouldn’t deter anyone seeking assistance from police about a crime committed against them.
“What’s important to remember in these historical cases is that the victim has suffered for many years, and often alone,” he said.
“These cases are complex, but perseverance pays off when you know an offender is finally brought to justice.””
Man sentenced to 12 years for sexual assault on girl in his foster care for 10 years[Daily Telegraph 11/7/16 by Trace Howard]
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