A former Castlemaine resident has been found guilty and jailed for sexually abusing four children under the age of 16 during the 1980s.
Robert Dennis Howe appeared at the County Court in Melbourne on November 8, where he was sentenced and jailed for five years and nine months.
During the trial, held in Bendigo in May 2024, jurors heard evidence of more than 10 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual penetration perpetrated between 1981 and 1988, while Howe was living first in Castlemaine and later Bendigo.
The first assault, sexual penetration against a person between 10 and 16, occurred in Castlemaine in May 1981.
Howe’s second victim was also assaulted in Castlemaine. The abuse, which took place between January 1982 and December 1982, included kissing and laying on top of the child while simulating sex.
Howe’s third victim was indecently assaulted on two separate occasions in November 1985 after Howe had moved to Bendigo.
The final two charges of indecent assault were in relation to a fourth victim, also under the age of 16, which occurred in the late 80s-early 90s.
During sentencing, Judge Hassan said Howe had given evidence at trial, denying the offending.
“The jury clearly rejected your denials and accepted the evidence of your victims beyond reasonable doubt,” she said.
Judge Hassan told Howe that all four of his victims had made victim impact statements that described a wide-range of impacts including; ongoing difficulties with mental health, alcohol use, relationship issues, low self-esteem and self worth and difficulties parenting children due to feeling fearful and overprotective.
“As all of the victim impact statements eloquently describe, and which the courts now well recognise, the effects of childhood sexual abuse are ongoing and profound,” Judge Hassan said.
“Victims of childhood sexual abuse never know what life could have been and who they would have grown up to be, if they had not been subject to childhood sexual abuse, which, as the courts have regularly observed, destroys the opportunity of a healthy and natural transition into adulthood.
“Your crimes against all of your victims are very serious. All involve a breach of trust…. Your conduct in respect of each of your victims is objectively serious and your moral culpability high,” she said.
Robert Howe, now 80 years old, will serve a minimum of three years before being considered eligible for parole. He will be registered as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
