A man from North Queensland has received a 12-year prison sentence for multiple offenses, including the rape, sexual assault, and recruitment of minors for sexual exploitation. It was determined that four out of five victims were under the age of 16.
Judge Nathan Jarro described Charles William Gary Ottaviano as a predator who sought out and exploited vulnerable young girls for his own selfish and malicious purposes.
Content Warning: This report includes disturbing details related to sexual assault.
Ottaviano had previously admitted guilt to five counts of rape, six counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, as well as one count each of repeated sexual conduct with a child and sexual assault, over a span of seven years.
During the sentencing proceedings held on Friday in the Townsville District Court, it was revealed that Ottaviano had not only raped a young girl but had also coerced her into recruiting other minors for sexual exploitation by himself and other adult men.
Among the five victims, the youngest was just 13 years old when the crimes occurred.
In his remarks, Judge Jarro condemned Ottaviano’s actions as “appalling,” emphasizing that they stemmed from “selfish and sinister desires.” He characterized the behavior as predatory, involving manipulation and corruption through the use of money, cigarettes, alcohol, and secrecy.
The court learned that the 39-year-old provided the girls with cash, drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes in exchange for sexual favors, engaging in “routine, repeated sexual conduct.” Judge Jarro pointed out that Ottaviano specifically targeted and exploited “vulnerable” children, disregarding their visible distress and pleas for help.
One victim was reportedly threatened with physical harm if she disclosed the abuse, while another was mocked by Ottaviano as she struggled to breathe during an assault.
Addressing Ottaviano, Judge Jarro noted that the 13-year-old victim “never wanted to have sex with you,” highlighting her youth and fear.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Jarro took into account Ottaviano’s difficult upbringing, where exposure to drugs, violence, and sexual abuse had become commonplace. He also acknowledged that Ottaviano had participated in a program for sexual offenders in late 2024.
Having already spent two years in pre-sentence custody, Ottaviano is currently serving the remainder of his 12-year sentence, with no eligibility for parole set at this time.
