LN, one of the victims, revealed in court that she had developed multiple personalities as a survival mechanism due to the ongoing abuse. She lives with dissociative identity disorder, a condition that experts attribute to severe and recurrent abuse experienced during childhood. LN described the daily struggle she faces as a result of her father’s actions, which have left her with physical disabilities and enduring emotional pain.
During the trial, one of LN’s alters, a 13-year-old girl named M, testified about the torture she endured at the hands of her father. The judge acknowledged the profound impact the abuse had on both LN and AB, affecting their sense of self, ability to trust others, and relationships.
Judge Ian Bourke emphasized the breach of trust and authority exhibited by the father, noting that the deliberate actions were driven by selfish and depraved motives. The father was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison, with the possibility of parole in December 2038. However, there is concern that he may not live to see his release due to his age and health.
The trial marked a significant moment in Australian legal history, as LN’s alters were permitted to give evidence as separate identities. Despite the sentencing, the victims continue to grapple with the lasting trauma inflicted by their father’s actions.
