NEWCASTLE MORNING HERALD
24 March 2007
A 79-YEAR-OLD man admitted in Newcastle District Court yesterday that he indecently assaulted his daughter four times more than 30 years ago.
The defence argued that Judge Jennifer English should impose a suspended jail term as the offender, Roy William Bradbery, had no prior convictions of any kind, and had otherwise led an exemplary life.
Bradbery, now of Baroona Street, Whitebridge, pleaded guilty to four counts of having indecently assaulted his daughter, now Janine Budden, at Kahibah between January 1,1970, and April 27, 1975, when she was aged under 16.
Judge English said she would lift the non-publication order that normally applies in cases of this kind when told that Mrs Budden had asked The Herald to print her name.
Mrs Budden, 44, of Blacksmiths, told The Herald outside the court later "I don't mind my name published in the newspaper."
A tendered prosecution statement said Bradbery' committed the offences in the family home when Mrs Budden was aged between 8 and 11 or 12.
It said that Mrs Budden had first confronted her father about what had gone on between them about 10 years ago at a soccer game. Barrister John Fitzgerald, for Bradbery, conceded that his client's offences carried a custodial consideration.
He submitted that his client had prostate cancer and diabetes. Bradbery's wife, who was also in poor health, was supportive of him.
Mr Fitzgerald said Bradbery was remorseful for what had happened.
The prosecution submitted that the proceedings had caused the family to break up and Mrs Budden to lose her mother and father.
Judge English reserved her judgement until May 14 at East Maitland District Court.