Justice has been served as South Coast Man Convicted of Child Sex Offences
Batemans Bay father of two, Mark Ladmore is found guilty of 9 child sex offences. Photo: Facebook.
A Far South Coast man has been found guilty of eight child sex-related offences following a trial in Bega District Court.
Mark Ladmore, a 44-year-old air conditioning company operator, faced trial earlier this month after pleading not guilty to multiple charges, including sexually assaulting a child.He was convicted on charges of sexual touching, grooming, possessing child abuse material, inciting a child, assaulting a child, aggravated sexual intercourse, and producing child abuse material.
His Honour Judge Andrew Haesler SC ruled against Ladmore, stating that he was an unreliable witness who had lied to the court.
The court found that in addition to sexually assaulting the child, Ladmore had taken intimate images, including one captured from a roof cavity while the child was in the bath. As the guilty verdicts were delivered, Ladmore remained expressionless, while a quiet but noticeable reaction came from one of the victim’s family members with each pronouncement of guilt. He was acquitted on two charges, including possession of more than 100 deleted child abuse images found on his phone.
Following the verdict, Ladmore was denied bail and immediately taken into custody. Justice Haesler informed him that he faced a substantial prison sentence.
During sentencing remarks, delivered in a packed courtroom filled with the victim’s family, Judge Haesler confirmed that Ladmore exhibited a sexual interest in the victim, who was between 8 and 10 years old at the time of the offences. The statement followed Crown Prosecutor Roger Kimbell’s remarks that Ladmore was “obsessed” with the child and had lied when denying the allegations.
The judge also noted that after his arrest, Ladmore purchased a new car with a number plate featuring three initials from the victim’s name.
Screenshot of Mark Ladmore’s comment on a facebook photo of a solider holding a rifle. Image: Facebook
Justice Haesler emphasized the credibility of the victim’s testimony, stating it aligned with previous accounts given to the victims parents. He also pointed out that the child could not have described specific sexual devices, including two dildos and two partial sex torsos found in a brown suitcase, unless they had seen them.
In one of the incidents detailed in court, related to count three, the judge recounted how Ladmore allegedly piggy backed the complainant on his back while wearing only underwear. It was alleged that he then dropped the child onto a lounge, forcefully pulled down their underpants, and attempted penetration but was unsuccessful. The child responded by striking and kicking him in the groin and stomach, causing him to fall to the ground.
Ladmore's defence barrister, David McCallum, argued that it was highly improbable for a 10-year-old to physically overpower an adult in this manner. However, Judge Haesler countered, stating, “I accept that a blow strong enough to bring down an adult is unlikely; however, the complainant had attended jujitsu lessons.” Upon hearing the mention of jujitsu, Crown Prosecutor Roger Kimbell reacted with a slight but unmistakably proud smirk.
Ladmore now awaits sentencing, with a significant prison term expected.
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