Police believe Geraldton child abuser likely had more victims

Police believe a paedophile jailed last week for decades of child abuse may have other victims in the Geraldton community who have yet to come forward. The 64-year-old man was sentenced in the District Court to 15 years in jail last Friday on 25 charges relating to indecent dealings with children, child exploitation material, and rape. The offences occurred over 35 years, from 1983-2018. He was arrested after an eight-year-old girl revealed to her parents what he had done. SEE ALSO: Geraldton court told of grandfather’s alleged child sex abuse Guilty verdict — Man convicted for child abuse spanning decades in Geraldton trial Grandfather jailed for 15 years over horrific sex abuse Investigating officer Acting Det-Sgt Tom Grieve said he “highly suspected” there were other victims of the man and urged them to come forward. “There very well may be other victims of his,” he said. “I’m hoping the conviction may inspire others to come forward and seek justice.” The man had lived in Geraldton until the 1990s when he moved to a small locality in the Mid West. He cannot be named to protect the identity of his victims, who included his daughter, granddaughter and the daughter of a family friend. “Just because he’s jailed it doesn’t mean we’re going to stop,” Acting Det-Sgt Grieve said. “If anyone comes forward with new allegations we will investigate it tirelessly.” The man has maintained his innocence since he was arrested in February 2018 and has lodged an appeal. His earliest release date will be February 2031.