Two girls abused by 'grandfather'

An unemployed Woodville man who sexually abused two young girls told police his victims were "farm children" and sexual contact at their age was normal.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victims, was sentenced in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday to four years and four months in jail on seven charges ranging from sexual violation to sexual assault.

The two girls were 5 and 7 years old at the time of the violations, which occurred between 2002 and 2003.

The court heard how the man began to groom the girls while he was looking after them. He was in a relationship with their grandmother at the time. After abusing the children, he told them not to tell anyone. When questioned by police, he said the girls were "farm children" and sexual contact at that age was not unusual.

At the sentencing, the man sobbed loudly as he read out a statement saying he "deeply regretted" the wrongs he had done. But the victims' grandmother told the court nothing could take back her little girls' innocence.

"The trauma to the young minds he has betrayed ... he has robbed them of their childhood."

Crown prosecutor Shannon Johnston said despite the man's apology, a pre-sentence report showed a complete lack of remorse.

The "games" he concocted to lure the children into touching him showed clear premeditation, and he was still a risk to the community, she said. "This was offensive, despicable and repetitive abuse on young victims by someone they considered their grandfather."

Defence lawyer Steve Winter said his client had never tried to deny the offending, and was "beginning" to come to terms with the fact he needed to change.

"No-one offends in this way against children without having a serious problem with their thinking process. He is in many ways an immature thinker."

Judge Alistair Garland said the man needed to be held accountable for the harm he had caused.

"It was a gross breach of trust. They are very vulnerable, they were very young."

A minimum non-parole period of two years and two months was imposed.