A FARMHAND from the United Kingdom who sexually assault his friend in a Narrabri motel room was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
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Jonathan Anthony Deane was a 23-year-old at the time on a working holiday at a Pilliga property when he met the victim.
The pair travelled to the nearby town of Narrabri to pick up some car parts and do some shopping on June 29, last year.
When the car broke down, Deane and the victim booked a motel room with two beds overnight, they went out to two pubs and returned to the room and drank a bottle of wine.
Both fell asleep fully clothed, at about 5:30am Deane began touching the victim and digitally penetrated her for five to 10 minutes, it was when he kissed her that she woke up in a state of shock.
The victim took her phone and went to reception to call a friend in Ireland, Deane followed her and asked, "Did I go too far?"
When the victim's co-worker arrived to pick her up, Deane had left the motel and sent her a text message that said he was going to the police station because "I know what I did was wrong".
At Narrabri Police Station Deane called Tamworth Police Station and said, "I've done something stupid, something that where I'm from you would get punished for."
"I want to report that I've sexually assaulted someone, I've done something bad and I want to report it."
When police arrived from Tamworth, Deane was arrested and taken into custody.
The sentence hearing took part at Moree District Court in March, by that time Deane had spent eight months and 26 days in custody.
The victim would have been traumatised psychologically by the offending, Moree District Court Judge Phillip Mahoney said.
"A clear message must be sent to the community and like-minded members of the community that parliament has proscribed a lengthy maximum term of imprisonment for such an offence and that the courts would impose severe penalties in an appropriate case," he said.
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The maximum sentence for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years with seven years non-parole.
Deane was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 12 months to commence June 30 [the date he was arrested] and it expired June 29, 2019.
He was given a 25 per cent discount on his sentence for his early guilty plea.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
