Abuser who treated victim as 'a piece of meat' during rape sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to sexual assault.

A Canberra man has been sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for more than two dozen charges described as “appalling crimes that have had an understandably significant impact”.

Alan John Matas previously pleaded guilty to 25 charges, including 11 counts of sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of sexual assault in the third degree, three counts of assault, one count of an act endangering health – choking, and one count of non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

As she sentenced the 37-year-old in the ACT Supreme Court, Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson said Matas’s conduct towards the woman was “appalling”.

“No one deserves to be treated this way. No woman deserves to be the subject of such of such appalling treatment.”

The woman has given her permission for the media to use Matas’s name.

On 6 May 2023, court documents state Matas physically and sexually assaulted a woman for around 25 minutes while under the influence of the drug GHB. He also filmed part of the offences on her mobile phone.

The woman was asleep in bed when Matas began raping her in several ways. She woke and asked him repeatedly to stop, though he continued and restrained her with handcuffs during part of the assault.

“[The case is] overwhelmingly strong in the sense Mr Matas filmed his own offending,” Justice Loukas-Karlsson said.

Several days after the assault, Matas called the woman 112 times, repeatedly threatened her and told her to share her location to prove where she was, according to court documents.

During part of the sentencing, Justice Loukas-Karlsson addressed the now 37-year-old Matas directly.

“I think it’s critical you understand that you can’t treat a fellow human being in this way. You cannot,” she said.

“Men and women are human beings. You cannot treat a fellow human being like a piece of meat.”

Justice Loukas-Karlsson said it was critical that Matas, who has a “significant” criminal history, change his behaviour.

“This is your best chance for turning your life around,” she said.

In jail, she told Matas he would have to “prove to the parole board that you’re worthy” and “work every day in jail to become a better man”.

Justice Loukas-Karlsson said sentencing Matas was “not without its complexity” due to the number of charges.

Matas’ head sentence is 13 years and almost three months, though he will be eligible for parole in 2031.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732.

Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.