By Dongyun Kwon
Warning, this story contains graphic descriptions of child sexual abuse and explicit language.
A former Yarra Glen resident was sentenced to be imprisoned for at least 17 more years after being found guilty of historic child sexual abuse.
Mr Roder (pseudonym), born in June 1970 and now aged 54, was accused by his two stepchildren of 27 charges of sexual abuse.
County Court of Victoria Judge McInerney imposed 25 years’ jail with a non-parole period of 18 years.
“All of the sentences are imposed in regard to serious sexual offences. In regard to each charge, Mr Roder is sentenced as a serious sexual offender,” the County Court decision reads.
“Given that Mr Roder is currently serving a sentence of five years and one month with a non-parole period of three years and five months passed by me on 19 December 2023, it is necessary for me to set a new single non-parole period.
“I determine that the single non-parole period to be now fixed … will be 18 years to be served from 19 December 2023.
“I note therefore that from 19 December 2023, Mr Roder has served 344 days of this single non-parole period.”
The 54-year-old man was in a de facto relationship with the mother of the two complainants from 1999 to 2010.
EW (pseudonym), the youngest, was born in 1994 and assaulted by Mr Roder from the age of five in September 1999, through to the age of 13 in December 2007.
MW (pseudonym), the older child, was born in 1991 and assaulted by Mr Roder from the age of 10 or 11 in January 2002 to 18 in December 2009.
EW was treated with contempt, being regularly called by Mr Roder a “little c***”, disciplined by him physically and with the use of a strap.
As a result, EW was particularly fearful of Mr Roder.
The first sexual touching involving EW by Mr Roder occurred in the period between September 1999 to September 2000 when they lived in Wallan.
The child was home ill from school.
When EW was eight, he was raped by Mr Roder in the bedroom.
The first sexual assault on MW occurred between January and March 2002 when he was in Grade 5.
During the sexual abuse committed on these two boys, Mr Roder had told both kids to keep such acts a secret.
Mr Roder emphasised the need for such offending to be kept secret over and over again and told MW if he did not do what he wanted, his disappearance would be arranged by friends of Mr Roder.
MW said he was still scared of Mr Roder at the age of 18 when groped by Mr Roder two different times in February and later in 2009.
If you have experienced or witnessed sexual abuse, contact 1800Respect via call on 1800 737 732 or text on 0458 737 732 or contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 for help.
