Arabic version: سجن الرئيس التنفيذي السابق لشركة غيدارجيل بتهم اعتداءات جنسية

According to ABC News, former Gidarjil Development Corporation chief executive Kerry Blackman has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of four sexual assault charges in the District Court at Bundaberg.

The 69-year-old will be eligible for parole after serving 50 per cent of his sentence. The offences occurred between 2017 and 2023 and involved aggressive and “persistent” physical advances towards a woman who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

At the sentencing hearing, the woman said the offending had changed her life “profoundly”, affecting her stability, trust, dignity and sense of belonging in her community. She told the court she had turned to alcohol while dealing with mental-health struggles.

Crown prosecutor Kate Thamm described the conduct as “opportunistic” and said Blackman had shown no remorse. Judge John Allen called the offending “persistent and protracted” and said it was an abuse of power.

The court heard Blackman had no other criminal history and had made significant community contributions over decades. His employment at Gidarjil, where he was a founding member, ended after charges were laid in 2024. An honorary doctorate awarded by CQ University in 2017 was also revoked after the charges were laid.