Man jailed after changing plea during sex abuse trial

File photo / NZ Herald

A 48-year-old West Coast man was this morning jailed for 12 months after admitting doing an indecent act on a child.

Juan Mandac changed his plea midway through a judge-alone trial in the Greymouth District Court this week, having initially denied seven charges of doing an indecent act on a child, one charge of doing an indecent act on a young person and one of making an intimate visual recording.

Mandac was discharged on one charge of doing an indecent act on a young person, while the other not guilty charges were withdrawn by the prosecution.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said today the offending involved Mandac inappropriately touching the victim, and getting the victim to inappropriately touch him. The offences occurred between May 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

Judge O'Driscoll said the sexual abuse of children was always regarded by the court as serious.

"It can rob them of their childhood, they can become scared, frightened and confused, and it can have long-lasting psychological and emotional consequences for the children."

Mandac had abused the trust of the children, who were vulnerable because of his position as an adult, compared to their position as children.

In mitigation, the judge said Mandac had no previous convictions, had entered a belated guilty plea and had offered to pay reparation of $5000 to the victim's family for the emotional harm caused by his offending.

However, as a result of his earlier not guilty plea, two of the alleged victims on the earlier charges had to "relive" the alleged offending by watching their interviews and giving evidence in court. It was also put to them during the trial that they were wrong or were not telling the truth.

"My impression is that they are both brave young children who are clearly telling the truth. That's been reinforced by your guilty plea," Judge O'Driscoll said.

The judge said the starting point for sentence was 18 months in prison, however he reduced the final sentence to 12 months because of the mitigating factors. Mandac was also ordered to pay $5000 in reparation.