Posted: 07:09, 12 June 2022 | Updated: 07:09, 12 June 2022
A father could be released from prison in less than 12 months despite raping his teenage daughter and warning her not to tell anyone about the attack.
The 48-year-old man from Rockhampton, who is not named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to a rape of domestic violence on June 10.
He was sentenced to seven years in prison, but at his discretion he could be released on parole on June 4, 2023.
The teenage victim woke up in her bed on the morning of the attack in early 2021, to find her father in her room.
The only other adult living at home had already left for work. It was still dark and the girl tried to fall asleep again.
The teenage victim woke up in her bed on the morning of the attack, which took place early in 2021, to find out that her father had entered her room (stock image)
Only then did her father approach her. “She was still shocked” as he raped her in bed, according to The Morning Bulletin, the Rockhampton District Court heard.
Crown prosecutor Maryam Yousufzai said a few hours later that the young victim had to face her father at home as he prepared for school.
He offered to take her to school and, as he left her, asked her not to tell anyone about the horrific rape.
At some point in the day, the teenager confided in a friend who urged her to report the incident. Police were involved within hours and the girl was taken to a friend’s house for her own safety.
When the victim did not return to school, her father went to the local police station trying to find out details about where his daughter was. He returned to the same station seven days in a row, always asking the same thing.
The 48-year-old Rockhampton man, who is not named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to one count of rape (domestic violence) on June 10 in Rockhampton District Court (pictured)
During the search, the father’s DNA was found in his daughter’s underwear, under her blanket and in her sheets.
Judge Jeff Clark could only describe the offense as “simply horrific” as he handed down his verdict.
The man’s defense attorney noted that his client still had the support of his family and longtime partner.
His parents drove 650 kilometers to be in the courtroom as the sentence was handed down.
After serving 371 days of pre-trial detention, the man will be entitled to parole on June 4, 2023.
