A self-confessed child molester has been sentenced to six years in jail for sex offences against a young Canberra teenager in the 1980s.
Christopher Gary Cooksley, 72, has already served a six-month sentence in New South Wales for offences against the same person.
He pleaded guilty to two charges in the ACT Supreme Court, including maintaining a sexual relationship with a child and indecent assault.
The court heard the pair first met when the boy bought lawn mower fuel from the service station where Cooksley worked.
Cooksley befriended the boy and his family, and began helping him with his homework, when the abuse began.
The victim told the court he still bore the scars of the abuse, and the wounds were still open.
He said he had suffered drug and alcohol abuse, which he hid from his family.
Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson noted the crimes' impact on the man.
"This court recognises and acknowledges the harm," she told the court.
Key evidence before the court included a psychological report.
Cooksley told the author of the report he had been celibate since 1985, and said he knew the abuse was wrong.
"I do not blame anyone other than myself," Cooksley said.
"I was made that way."
Regret, but no remorse
The report author said Cooksley had told him he wished he had not committed the crime and showed some appreciation of the impact of his actions on the victim.
Justice Loukas-Karlsson stopped short of reading that as remorse.
"I accept the offender has expressed regret," she said.
"I do not accept … the offender has shown enough insight to qualify for remorse."
Cooksley had also been a foster carer around the same time.
He admitted to the court he had been attracted to some children, but said he had not offended against any of the 300 boys he had fostered.
Cooksley was jailed last month after his sentencing hearing.
He has been given a non-parole period of three years.
