A police officer stripped a nine-year-old girl of her trust and innocence after a period of years of sexual abuse, a court has heard.
Conor McCurley, 26, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he accepted responsibility for the crime committed against the boy.
In an emotional impact statement to the court, the woman, now in her early 20s, said her entire life changed as a result of McCurley’s actions.
“They let me keep the disgusting secret,” the victim said.
“I started to feel like I was the problem… I felt like I was losing control of my life.”
Police officer Conor McCurley has had to offer a public apology to a woman he sexually assaulted as a child.
The court was told the woman confronted Mr McCurley years after the abuse ended, with the first officer complaining he had been “painted in a horrible light”.
“It was the mistake of an ignorant young man,” he responded by text message.
But the woman told the court what she described as a “mistake that made me feel like it had cost me most of my life.”
“They have called me vindictive and spiteful for seeking justice,” she said, her voice breaking.
“They are taking away a young man’s sleep, they say, but I feel like they have taken away my childhood.”
McCurley was sitting behind his lawyer with a ream of paper in his hand and his wife’s arm crossed over his back.
The court was told he was suspended from Victoria Police without pay after internal investigators charged him in August last year, just weeks before his wedding.
The sex offense occurred when McCurley was a teenager and before he joined Victoria Police.
McCurley avoided conviction and was released on probation. Image: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly
The case was initially set for an inquest hearing this week to determine whether McCurley should stand trial after lawyer Caroline Salter said last year she denied the allegations.
But on Tuesday morning prosecutor Matthew Fisher stood up and said the case had “been resolved.”
He told the court that both the prosecution and defense agreed the case was suitable for diversion, where a low-risk offender can avoid the criminal justice system by accepting responsibility for his actions.
“At first glance, the public may say that it is scandalous that this matter is being treated in this way,” he said.
“But we say there are powerful factors at play in reaching this position.”
Fisher said both the woman and a senior Crown prosecutor had agreed that diversion was the correct course of action.
Conor McCurley, 26, was charged weeks before his Yarra Valley wedding.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Malcolm Thomas agreed and said that despite the serious offences, he considered it was “appropriate to grant the diversion”.
“In my opinion, this allows (the plaintiff’s) voice to be heard, gives her agency and forces Mr. McCurley to acknowledge his actions publicly,” he said.
Thomas said a “powerful factor” in his decision was the woman’s support for deviance and avoiding the “deeply traumatic” experience of testifying at trial.
“It is an unfortunate feature of the system that requires complainants to describe in great detail … often the most painful memories of their lives,” he said.
As part of the diversion, McCauley was required to offer a public apology, pay $7,500 in compensation, donate $2,500 to a charity of his choice and be of good behavior for one year.
Standing on the witness stand Tuesday afternoon, McCurley kept his head bowed and said he was “deeply sorry.”
“I know that what I have done has caused irreversible damage,” he said.
“I want you to know that I fully acknowledge my behavior and how it made you feel.”
Demanding that McCurley appear in court, Thomas described his behavior towards the woman as “absolutely disgusting”.
“You should feel a great sense of shame for the things you did and you should carry that shame.”