The family of a Launceston man who raped his stepdaughter sobbed in the back of the court as he was sentenced to three years’ jail.
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The 31-year-old appeared in the Launceston Supreme Court on Wednesday, seven weeks after a jury found him guilty of raping his 18-year-old stepdaughter while she was passed out drunk in 2013.
Throughout the trial in September, the jury heard evidence from the victim who said she woke up to find her stepdad on top of her, having sex with her.
He did not stop until she started crying and asked ‘what are you doing?’.
Justice Michael Brett said he was convinced the man had developed a sexual attraction to his stepdaughter as she grew into a teenager.
He described the man’s actions as “opportunistic” and a “serious breach of trust”.
“You have not accepted responsibility or demonstrated any remorse,” Justice Brett said.
“There is no doubt the impact on the complainant has been significant and that is likely to continue long-term.
“The only appropriate sentence is a significant term of imprisonment.”
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Detailing the man’s history, Justice Brett said he had a “positive character” before committing the crime but his past was in no way “pristine”.
The court heard the man suffered a difficult childhood, which included time spent in refugee camps.
Justice Brett said it was “probable, if not inevitable” the man would be deported back to his home country once he was released from prison in Tasmania.
“The experience of the court is … sometimes people of otherwise good character make mistakes,” he said.
The back of the court was full of supporters on Wednesday, who cried as Justice Brett handed down his decision.
The man was convicted and sentenced to three years in jail, which was backdated to September 20 this year.
He will not be eligible for parole until he has served half of that sentence.
The man will also be placed on the sex offender register for eight years.