The Hobart Supreme Court yesterday heard that the abuse took place on a regular basis in the 1980s when the victim was aged between 10 and 16.

Millwood, now 70, would fondle the boy’s testicles and penis under the guise of performing medical checks and measuring how the boy was “growing”.

The activity later escalated to Millwood demonstrating on both his own penis and that of the boy how to achieve an erection and masturbate.

Justice Shan Tennent said that the assaults did not end voluntarily and only after the boy stood up to Millwood.

The victim in 2001 confronted Millwood by letter over the abuse allegations which were in turn labelled “horrific, outrageous and lunatic”.

Millwood maintained his denial in a 2014 police interview, saying he had examined the boy’s scrotum a few times on medical advice.

Millwood pleaded not guilty to the crime in 2015 but changed his plea this year.

Justice Tennent said his extended denials over the abuse had been coupled with no remorse.

She said the victim struggled with depression and keeping relationships.

Victim spokeswoman Danya Dennison said outside court that she hoped that the case encouraged other victims of child sexual abuse to come forward.

“It is enormously vindicating, life-affirming and empowering to see justice done,” she said.