Maidment reprimanded Sullivan – while acknowledging that he suffered from mental health concerns including social anxiety, depression and personality disorder – when handing down the sentence in the County Court on Thursday.

The judge also noted he had considered Sullivan’s safety in prison ahead of handing down the sentence.

“You undoubtedly knew that what you were doing was unlawful and morally wrong … you knew your first victim was 12 years old from the first online contact … you set out to deceive her,” he said.

“[Sullivan’s] slight and childlike appearance is likely to be attractive to sexual predators you may encounter in a prison environment.”

Sullivan was sentenced to 12 months, which will mean just 11 months behind bars as he’s already served one month in custody. From July next year, he will have to obey a three-year community corrections order, meaning he can serve the time at home.

The victim’s mum said they had been hoping for the maximum penalty, which in Victoria was 15 years in prison.

“Here’s my daughter on my shoulder, the victim, nothing was said in regards to her wellbeing. I was livid, it took every ounce of me to keep my cool in that courtroom,” she said.

“People like that need to be kept off our streets.”

The victim’s mother said her daughter was only just beginning to understand and accept that she was not to blame.

She said the family had been through months of psychology sessions and appointments since the abuse.

“I wish that I’d gotten up to go to the toilet, I wish that I’d gotten up to get a drink of water and caught him,” she said.

“All I want is justice. My daughter’s got to live with this for the rest of her life and I pray and hope she has some normality, I pray and hope she has normal relationships.”

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