A Mount Gambier man has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for the charge of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.
Key points:
- Ian James Hill will spend at least another four years behind bars
- The victim was 15 years old and “mentally fragile” when she entered the relationship with Hill, who was 36 at the time
- The District Court previously heard the victim was treated like a “slave”
Ian James Hill, 41, appeared via video link in the District Court in Mount Gambier on Wednesday.
He had pleaded guilty to the charge as well as two counts of assault against the same victim.
Judge Rauf Soulio sentenced Hill to eight years, three months and two weeks in prison, backdated to when he was taken into custody in February last year.
Judge Soulio set a non-parole period of five years.
Hill and the victim entered into the relationship in August 2018, when the victim was 15 and Hill was 36.
In summarising the victim’s impact statement, Judge Soulio said Hill “knew of her age” but their relationship “became sexual at an early stage”.
The court heard that Hill was protective of the victim at first but became “needy and domineering”.
‘Fragile’ victim treated like a ‘slave’
Previously, the District Court heard the victim was treated like a “slave” who had to shower and dress Hill, make meals, buy drugs and alcohol for him and look after his young daughter.
Judge Soulio said the victim and Hill met when she was “emotionally distressed and mentally fragile” following a family death and a recent break-up.
The court heard Hill assaulted the victim by repeatedly punching her head on February 18 last year after he became angry because he had lost custody of his daughter.
Hill also pleaded guilty to a second assault charge from February 24 last year, when he verbally abused and threatened the victim, striking her with a fishing rod and kicking her when she fell to the floor.
The court heard Hill was “mentally, verbally and physically abusive” towards the “underage and vulnerable” victim.
Judge Soulio acknowledged the victim was isolated from her friends and family at the time, and “suffered ongoing damage”.
‘Guarded’ rehabilitation prospects
The court heard Hill had an antisocial personality disorder and addictions to drugs and alcohol.
A report found Hill had “irresponsible and callous conduct”, was egocentric and lacked empathy.
It found Hill was at a “high risk of substance relapse” on release and that he had “guarded prospects of rehabilitation”.
The report recommended Hill undertake a series of drug, sexual behaviour, and violence treatment programs.
Judge Soulio instructed Hill to undertake the programs with the hope that he may “be able to re-establish contact with his children”.
Hill will be eligible for parole in 2026.
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