ACT Court goes easy on dangeous Internet Sex Predator

I just want to make one extremely pedantic correction to the original post. Considering that the original poster indicates that the victims were teenagers, that would make Oshana an ‘ephebophile’ not a pedophile.

…I told you it was pedantic.

A disturbing story based on Jamie Wheeler’s account. I tend not to make judgments myself about sentences, without first reading the case and judgment. I have not done this nor have I read anything in the newspaper so I profess ignorance.

How old were the victims? Does anyone have a link to the Canberra Times article or the judgment?

Surely the word “dangerous” is redundant in this headline. I don’t see many harmless sex predators getting about.

Jammer1 said :

Because of the nature of his crimes and despite the fact he resides in NSW, although he was convicted in an ACT court, he still becomes a registrable offender under NSW law and will be monitored by their Child Sex Offender Registration Team for the next 15 years, possibly life.

But if the next 7-8 years was in cell number… (insert cell number at Canberra Resort and Leisure Complex) then they wouldn’t have to look very hard or very often.

Because of the nature of his crimes and despite the fact he resides in NSW, although he was convicted in an ACT court, he still becomes a registrable offender under NSW law and will be monitored by their Child Sex Offender Registration Team for the next 15 years, possibly life.

Very poor form shown again by the Courts. The community, in my view, wants heavier sentences and real consequences and deterrents for all offenders. This bloke doesn’t understand he did something wrong – time the Courts realised this and ‘educated’ him…. isn’t that their responsibility to us and our families?

JB we are all refreshed and challeneged by your unique points of view.

The sad thing is that most of our esteemed Supreme Court Justices view the imposition of a period of imprisonment as curel and unusual punishment.

This sentence is a joke.

I’m afraid it seems less reasonable when it could be your kid.

He’s done it repeatedly. He’s not sorry. And he’s getting out in 4 months.

Wonder what he will do?

Have to say I thought the sentence seemed pretty reasonable.

Caf, Oshana was arrested in June 2007 and will be released in December 2008. This would make a total of only 1.5 years actual jail time served. The remaining 3 year sentence is suspended. He then has twelve months periodic detention and a further five year good behaviour bond.

Keep in mind this sentence is for two grooming offences and harrassment of another making three underaged victims. The offender was reported to have no understanding he’d even done anything wrong. What are the chances he will not re-offend?

In the ACT under the Crimes Act 1990, Internet grooming offences carry a maximum of ten years in jail or five years for a first offence. See:
http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/htcb/htcb017.html

So 1.5 years jail is pretty light given multiple offences and no remorse shown.

One of the earlier articles in the Canberra Times mentioned NSW Police are interested in Oshana for similar alleged offences commited in NSW against multiple victims. With any luck the NSW courts won’t be so lenient.

I have been following this case and as far as I know, no official photo was released of Oshana. If anybody has one please post.

Uhhh that sounds like a pretty fair sentence to me. Should we lock him up for futurecrime?