Pedophile and Launceston arts identity John Wayne Millwood has appealed his sentence for repeatedly molesting a boy in the 1980s.
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Millwood was jailed for four years in December for maintaining a sexual relationship with the child between 1983 and 1989.
A document lodged with the Supreme Court last month reveals Millwood claims the sentence is excessive and Justice Shan Tennent did not take into account the 71-year-old’s “good character, achievements” and “contributions”.
Millwood received a prize from the City of Launceston in 2009 for restoring a house on St John Street and has been a long-time contributor to the arts community.
The appeal also claims:
- Justice Tennent was influenced by the victim’s “emotive, lengthy, repetitive and hyperbolic” impact statement, that was read in court
- The victim impact statement contained incorrect, irrelevant and prejudicial material
- Justice Tennent handed down a sentence that gave too much prominence to deterring other sex offenders
Millwood has also dropped high-profile Victorian lawyer Peter Chadwick QC.
Millwood will continue to be represented by Launceston lawyer Darrell Grey, who filed the appeal on his behalf.
Millwood admitted to the crime in November, after years of denial.
Last month, a bid to have Millwood’s 2009 heritage prize revoked was turned down by general manager Robert Dobrzynski, who said the prize had nothing to do with Millwood’s character.