A Supreme Court judge has paid tribute to the "bravery" of child sexual abuse victims who continued to pursue justice for the "evil" behaviour they were subject to at the hands of a southern Tasmanian man.
Phillip James Scott, 69, was sentenced in the Supreme Court in Hobart on Tuesday after previously pleading guilty to two counts of persistent sexual abuse of a child, two counts of indecent assault and one count of rape.
In handing down his sentence, Justice Gregory Geason said each of Scott's five victims — four girls and one boy, aged between five and 12 years at the time of the crimes — had "their own story to tell about their suffering".
The court heard Scott abused his victims at his home, in his car, at his workplace or at locations in greater Hobart, in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Justice Geason summarised each victim's experience of the abuse, saying some cried while the abuse took place.
The court also heard Scott told his victims not to tell anyone, or that if they disclosed the abuse, they, the victim, would be blamed.
"Your behaviour over many years was predatory, selfish and evil," Justice Geason said.
"They have bravely endured delays in bringing you to justice … [and] the apparently inadequate investigations in the past."
The court heard reports of the abuse had been made to Tasmania Police in the late 1990s, and early 2000s, and two investigations from that time did not result in any charges being laid.
It was the investigation that started after one of the victims made another complaint in 2016 that led to Scott's arrest.
The court heard he continued to deny the allegations against him, until he changed his plea to guilty in June.
Justice Geason said he accepted Scott stated he was remorseful and had no relevant prior or subsequent convictions.
Scott was sentenced to 12 years in jail, with a non-parole period of eight years, and his name will be placed on the sex offender register for life.
