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Canberra child rapist John Paul Garay sentenced to five years in jail for eight charges of child sexual abuse

John Garay was last year found guilty of eight charges of child sexual abuse. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)

John Paul Garay, 62, who was last year found guilty of various child sex offences, will spend five years behind bars after he was sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court on Friday evening.

In August 2021, Garay was found guilty of a total of eight child sexual abuse charges, including rape.

All the offences took place at Garay's home in the 1980s against the son of a family friend, the court heard when he was found guilty.

Lawyers prosecuting Garay said he had not expressed remorse over his actions.

"Mr Garay expressed some indifference about the gravity of his offending," they said.

Garay twice applied for a stay on the charges, which would mean he would not face sentencing, but the stay was rejected by both Chief Justice Lucy McCallum and Justice Michael Elkhaim.

In handing down her sentencing today, Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson said she recognised the long-lasting impact Garay's offending had on his victim's life.

"The court recognises the serious, long-lasting and tragic effect of the crimes on the victim," she said.

"It must be stated that the court acknowledges the devastating impact the offences have had on both the victim and his wife."

Justice Loukas-Karlsson sentenced Garay to five years in prison for his actions and said he would be eligible for parole in March 2025.

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