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‘I’ve only seen one worse’: Ray slams soft sentence handed to Townsville couple who raped daughters

Article image for ‘I’ve only seen one worse’: Ray slams soft sentence handed to Townsville couple who raped daughters

Ray Hadley is calling on Queensland’s Attorney-General to appeal the sentences handed down to a Townsville couple found guilty of raping their two children.

The 44-year-old father raped his daughters on hundreds of occasions between 2012 and 2016 but has only been sentenced to 16 years behind bars for the horrific abuse.

The sentence handed to the 35-year-old mother, who engaged in threesomes with her children, wasn’t any better. She’ll spend just nine years in prison.

Both perpetrators could have been slapped with life sentences but because they pleaded guilty, they were handed softer sentences.

Ray says he’s dealt with countless child sexual abuse cases and this is undoubtedly one of the worst.

“I’ve only seen one worse and that was a bloke in northern New South Wales who went away for a lot longer than this for the repeated abuse of his daughter.

“That’s the only one worse and I think he’s gone for 40 years, that bloke.”

During sentencing, Judge John Coker read out a heartbreaking impact statement from one of the victims.

“I have no confidence and can’t sleep at night,” it read.

“I have depression, anxiety and have self-harmed because you have made me feel worthless, you have also made me feel like it’s my fault.”

Ray is calling for the ruling to be scrapped, saying life sentences should be the bare minimum.

“I would appeal to the Queensland Attorney-General to appeal the inadequate sentence given to this creature and his wife.”

Click PLAY below to hear the story in full 

Queensland’s Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath tells Ray the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reviews all sentences and will advise if there are any legal grounds for an appeal.

“The DPP will take a close look at this Ray, as it does with all sentences.”

Mark Levy
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