R v Browne

Ross Douglas Browne appeared for sentencing having pleaded guilty to 15 charges of historic sexual offending against 14 children and adolescents while employed as a chaplain and teacher at Dilworth School between 1987 and 2002. The court acknowledged the victims and their families who attended the hearing and those who viewed it remotely. The charges arose from a police investigation into historic sexual abuse at Dilworth School. Browne sexually offended against his victims over a 15-year period while in a position of authority and power at the school. The court considered the aggravating factors of the offending, including the level of planning, scale, duration, breaches of trust, and the vulnerability of the victims. The court adopted a starting point of four years' imprisonment for the lead charge of sexual violation and applied an uplift of six years for the additional charges, resulting in a global starting point of 10 years' imprisonment. The court allowed a 25% discount for Browne's guilty pleas and a further 10% discount for his age, disabilities, and willingness to engage in a restorative justice program. The final sentence imposed was six and a half years' imprisonment on each of the sexual offending charges, to be served concurrently, and 12 months' imprisonment for the charge of possessing objectionable material. Browne's name will be placed on the Child Sex Offender Register.

The court emphasised the devastating impact of Browne's offending on the victims and their families, and acknowledged the courage of the victims in coming forward. The court hoped that the hearing would enable the victims to begin a process of healing. The victims' accounts highlighted the profound and lasting effects of the abuse, including substance abuse, criminal behaviour, emotional deprivation, sexual confusion, and withdrawal from physical contact with others. Some victims spoke optimistically of their futures, having overcome the pain and distress sufficiently to focus on being good human beings and enjoying loving and caring relationships.