Former ABC cameraman Alan Dowler has been sentenced in the Northern Territory Supreme Court to four years and six months in prison for historical sex offences against two girls under the age of 14.
The court heard the crimes took place in Alice Springs between January 1992 and April 1993.
In a sentencing hearing on Friday morning, Chief Justice Michael Grant read out victim impact statements from both victims.
One described feelings of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse in the aftermath of the abuse, which she said robbed her of her innocence.
The second victim wrote about the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder, which left her unable to trust anyone with her own children and meant she could not return to work after they were born.
"I will never know a life without trauma," the statement said.
Chief Justice Grant described the abuse as "extremely deviant in nature" and a "gross breach of trust".
"The motive for your offending was solely for your own perverse sexual gratification," he said.
Dowler pleaded guilty to all nine charges of sexual assault.
Chief Justice Grant noted Dowler's early guilty plea to all nine charges of sexual assault and lack of criminal record otherwise.
He told the court he was also satisfied Dowler had shown remorse for his crimes.
The sentence will be suspended after 18 months, making Dowler eligible for parole in April 2023.
