A former rugby league coach in the Great Southern has avoided jail after being convicted of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in her bedroom.
Richard James McNamara pleaded guilty to indecent dealings with a child under the age of 13 in Albany District Court on Monday.
The abuse occurred in the early 2000s and the victim reported the incident two decades later after suffering from nightmares.
The court heard the victim was fully clothed in her bedroom when McNamara entered and laid on top of her.
He then began to kiss her with his tongue.
The court was told he then grabbed her breast with his hand and started caressing her.
The abuse stopped when the victim's father walked by the room and alerted the victim's mother.
The victim's mother then told McNamara to leave.
McNamara, now 41, was about 19 or 20 when it occurred.
He is the father of three children. His wife was supporting him in court.
The court heard he received an unrelated conviction in New Zealand.
Judge Stephen Lemonis said the act occurred in a space where the girl had a right to feel safe — her own bedroom.
He said McNamara took advantage of the girl, labelling the act a "breach of trust".
The victim's impact statement detailed how she felt "really scared".
But McNamara's defence counsel Bruno Illari argued that the victim was "quite a mature, well-developed — physically and emotionally — 12-year-old".
Judge Lemonis interrupted to again state that the victim was just 12 years old.
Mr Illari said it did not in any way excuse what happened. He also said McNamara was emotionally immature at the time and now felt ashamed.
The Albany father has been labelled low risk of reoffending.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
McNamara was handed an 11-month suspended sentence and was also ordered not to leave Western Australia.
McNamara has worked closely with children through his former role at the Albany Sea Dragons Rugby League Club.
The victim was not involved in the club.
He is pictured on Facebook in team pictures with children from the club.
The Albany Sea Dragons referred questions to NRL WA.
An NRL spokesperson confirmed McNamara was a coach at the club but said he no longer held the position.
The organisation was notified earlier this year when McNamara's Working with Children's Check was flagged.
The NRL did not confirm whether he was banned from the club.
