Former Uniting Church Minister, 83, Walks Free after Pleading Guilty to Sexually Assaulting a 12-year-old Boy - Because the Judge Believed He Had Lived an "Exemplary Life"

Daily Mail
December 22, 2016

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4057262/Former-Uniting-Church-minister-walks-free-pleaded-guilty-sexual-assault-12-year-old-boy.html

A former Queensland Uniting Church minister who sexually abused a 12-year-old boy five decades ago will walk free after a judge noted he lived an 'exemplary life'.

Barry Dangerfield, 83, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court today to five counts of indecently treating a child under 14 and six counts of indecent practices between males.

In sentencing, Dangerfield's defence lawyer Julian Noud accepted the seriousness of the offence, but argued for a wholly suspended sentence given the delay of 55 years since the abuse occurred.

Retired Uniting Church Minister Barry Dangerfield leaves the District Court in Brisbane

He said there was 'ample material' to prove rehabilitation and Dangerfield deserved credit for good character as a popular community leader and devoted husband.

'He's lived a completely blameless life, this man,' Mr Noud said.

Chief Judge Kerry O'Brien said it was 'a most unusual case' because Dangerfield's conduct over the past 50 years demonstrated significant rehabilitation.

'You have lived an exemplary life,' Judge O'Brien said.

Dangerfield befriended the young boy in the early 1960s and began to take him for driving lessons.

The abuse, which often occurred in daylight or at a swimming pool, included fellatio, mutual masturbation and encouragement to sleep in the same bed.

Dangerfield will be sentenced for charges of indecently dealing with a boy under 14 and attempted sodomy.

Dangerfield had befriended the young boy in the early 1960s and began to take him for driving lessons.

Prosecutor Rebecca Marks told the court that the victim felt a 'culture of non-disclosure' prevented him from speaking out and he experiences flashbacks and psychological problems.

'The impact upon the complainant was to such an extent that he blamed himself for the offending and on several occasions contemplated suicide,' Ms Marks said.

Chief Judge Kerry O'Brien said it was 'a most unusual case' because Dangerfield's conduct over the past 50 years demonstrated significant rehabilitation.

'You have lived an exemplary life,' Judge O'Brien said.

Judge O'Brien sentenced Dangerfield to three years' imprisonment, wholly suspended for a period of five years.