A Crown prosecutor has argued that a married couple charged with scores of child sex abuse charges do not have good rehabilitation prospects and have shown no remorse for their actions.
Julia Anne Bamforth, 49, and her husband Paul Robert Bamforth, 50, have both pleaded guilty to dozens of child sex abuse-related offences.
The couple sexually abused a young boy, who was not related to them, in their Narara home on the New South Wales Central Coast for more than five years.
Court documents show the boy they abused had a cognitive impairment.
The pair fronted Sydney District Court on Friday wearing prison greens while legal parties made their final submissions.
Crown prosecutor, barrister Adam O'Connors, said it was clear that Paul Bamforth was an unreliable witness because he had "lied while giving evidence" in Gosford District Court in March.
"He showed a remarkable lack of insight into the nature of his offending," he said.
He argued that both offenders did not have good prospects of rehabilitation and that neither had shown genuine remorse.
Julia Bamforth has been charged with having sexual intercourse with the boy repeatedly over the five-year period.
Court documents show much of the abuse had been filmed by Paul Bamforth, with 90 videos seized by police during searches of their home.
Psychologist gives evidence
Clinical and forensic psychologist Dr Chris Lennings, who had interviewed Paul Bamforth to write a report for the court proceedings, gave evidence on Friday.
His report suggested Paul Bamforth was "sexually deviant" due to being dependent on his wife.
In evidence, Dr Lennings said there were no signs of paedophilic behaviours before the couple started dating.
"This was a relationship that was developed as a deviant relationship," he said.
"There doesn't appear to be previous sexually deviant relationships."
He said it was unclear whether Paul Bamforth engaged in the abuse for his own sexual gratification or to please his wife.
The court heard that he had also sexually abused the child and made a compilation of the abuse, which he would watch with his wife.
After hearing further evidence in court, Dr Lennings said Paul Bamforth would meet the requirements to be diagnosed with paedophilic disorder.
Paul Bamforth's lawyer, barrister Marcus Juhasz, argued that his client's behaviours were influenced by his wife, making him less culpable.
The Crown and Julia Bamforth's lawyer, barrister John O'Sullivan, argued both offenders were equally culpable.
Judge David Wilson said he agreed that both were "equally involved" in the abuse.
He adjourned the matter to July in Gosford District Court, where it is expected he will set down a sentencing date.
