Mark Andrew Ladmore was found guilty after a judge-alone trial in the Bega District Court. Photo: Ian Campbell.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to child abuse.
A young girl told a child sex abuser from Batemans Bay that she hated him for what he had done to her, but she was proud of herself for “being brave and speaking up” to report his horrific crimes.
Mark Andrew Ladmore was found guilty of nine child abuse-related offences after a judge-alone trial in the Bega District Court earlier this year.
While the then-44-year-old, who is from Surf Beach near Batemans Bay, was sentenced in May, a judgement was published this week revealling details of the case.
For instance, the girl, who was aged under 16, wrote a statement in which she said her family had trusted Ladmore, but he was a “liar”.
“I knew I was right telling Mum … I am proud of myself for being brave and speaking up,” she said.
“I’m so relieved that everyone knows the truth now and they believe me … I am glad you can’t hurt me or any other children anymore.
“Remember you did this! You are where you belong. I hate you so much.”
The girl said while he had impacted on her life, she was brave and strong and would get through it.
“I know I will have a good life,” she said.
Judge Andrew Haesler said the girl had come forward to expose what happened and she should be commended for doing so.
“She did nothing wrong; she was believed,” he said.
“If there is any consolation, in my long experience dealing with such matters, a child who is believed, a child who is loved, a child who has strong family support can recover from abuse such as this, particularly if those around them turn down the volume and focus on care for the child and not dwell on the past.”
In the early 2020s, Ladmore was in his early 40s, worked as an air-conditioning installer and was friends with the girl’s family.
“Neither parent of the [girl] had any indication or inkling of anything inappropriate occurring between Ladmore and the child until her revelations [in] 2023,” Judge Haesler said.
That year, the girl’s mother received information that made her ask her daughter about a suitcase at Ladmore’s home.
The girl told her mother about sex toys in the suitcase, before breaking down and becoming distressed.
Over the next few days, she spoke to police and Ladmore was arrested.
During a search of his home and his property, police discovered seven photos of child abuse material on his mobile phone that showed the girl and also found a suitcase that contained sex toys.
Ladmore’s crimes included repeatedly sexually touching and, on one occasion, orally raping the girl. He showed her pornography and how to access online porn websites, showed her the suitcase with the sex toys and took child abuse material of her without her knowledge.
Judge Haesler said while Ladmore testified at his trial himself, he did not tell the truth.
“I found he lied to the court. Some of his denials were absurd; he had no credibility,” he said.
Ladmore had no prior criminal history before these offences and maintained his innocence.
He spent his whole life on the South Coast, except for a short period living in Canberra, and owned his own business from 2016 until he was arrested.
“His personal reputation suffered as a consequence as to being charged and the business ultimately folded prior to trial,” Judge Haesler said.
“Ladmore must be punished and punished severely. He will lose a large portion of what would otherwise have been one of the most productive periods of his life.”
He was sentenced to a total of 14 years’ jail with 10 years’ non-parole that means he will become eligible to be released from custody in March 2035.
He had been found guilty of three counts of sexually touching a child, two counts of using a child for the production of child abuse material as well as single counts of sexual intercourse with a child under his authority, grooming, inciting a child to sexually touch him and carrying out a sexual act towards a child.
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 or by visiting www.1800respect.org.au. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT on 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on About Regional.
The ex MLA would have proof before going public surely View