An elderly South East man has been jailed for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl in the 1980s.
Neil Alan Watson, 70, was recently sentenced in the Adelaide District Court by Judge Ian Press after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse.
The court heard that Watson was 33 or 34-years-old when he unlawfully had sex with the victim on a table in the sheds at a local football ground in 1988.
“It was a small community and I note (the victim) states that you were someone respected within that community,” Judge Press said in sentencing.
“You saw her in the street on a particular day and asked if she wanted to meet you at the sheds at the local football ground later that week at 7.30pm.
“She lied to her parents as to her whereabouts. You met her at the sheds.
“You lifted her onto a table and (had unlawful sex with her).
“After the intercourse ended you both got dressed, you hugged the victim and you then went your separate ways.
“She found the experience very painful.”
Mr Watson was arrested and released on bail in March 2020 and charged in May of the same year.
Judge Press said the consequences of the offending have been “far reaching and longstanding” from the perspective of the victim.
“(She) recounted many aspects of her life including moving away from the town at a very young age, her use of alcohol and drugs and some significant mental health issues,” he said.
Judge Press said the period of time which had lapsed since the offence does not diminish the need to give effect to general deterrant.
“Offenders must know they cannot expect to avoid punishment due to delay,” he said.
“Children often carry the burden of the offending with them and do not complain for many years.
“There is always a danger the impact of offending such as yours will reverberate for a significant period of time in the life of a victim.
“The courts must do what they can to protect children from such conduct by deterring others from engaging in it.
“The need it deter others and to protect the community by deterring others is a significant aspect of sentencing for such crimes.”
Judge Press sentenced Mr Watson to two years and eight month imprisonment in jail with a none parole period of one year and four months.
