"Every time I think of this man, Stephen Mitchell, I become an emotional wreck and start falling apart," a victim has told a court about the trusted friend turned convicted peadophile who indecently assaulted her.
"All the trauma and unimaginable pain has opened up a Pandora's box I'm not ready to fully unpack right now."
The woman is the only adult victim the 58-year-old Mitchell has been convicted of sexually offending against, despite his failed attempt to fight the charge in a hearing last year.
He was ultimately found guilty of committing an act of indecency without consent in the ACT Magistrates Court.
On Thursday, Mitchell discovered the 14-year-and-nine-month sentence he received in August for abusing several rock climbing students would only be extended by three months over his most recent crime.
Magistrate Jane Campbell did not extend the prolific abuser and former public servant's 10-year non-parole period.
In her impact statement, the victim said she had chosen not to say anything directly to her perpetrator and she would respect whatever outcome the court decided.
"Nothing can change what he did to me when I was so very vulnerable and he took advantage of me," she wrote.
More than a decade ago, and about two years after he is said to have stopped offending against children, Mitchell purposefully pressed his erect penis into the victim's buttocks without her consent.
She was an adult at the time and but the pair met when the victim was a young teenager.
Mitchell, considered a good friend, indecently assaulted the woman as he showed her self-defence moves and only stopped the criminal conduct when she said she understood what to do.
The magistrate previously found Mitchell showing the victim self-defence because she was in an abusive relationship had not been a ruse and he held genuine concern for her safety.
But, Ms Campbell said on Thursday, "his conduct abused the trust of a friend".
The magistrate also said Mitchell's offending against children was relevant in sentencing because it demonstrated "taking advantage of a non-sexual situation to commit his crime".
There was nothing before the court to suggest Mitchell had any remorse for his opportunistic conduct.
Defence lawyer Peter Woodhouse, of CODA Criminal Law, said his client had started one-on-one counselling in custody.
"Which is sexual-offence specific treatment," he said.
Mr Woodhouse also told the court there was no evidence Mitchell's actions were premeditated and it was accepted the man was "solely responsible for the offending".
ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Victoria Engel SC said the man knew the victim was highly vulnerable and his actions were intentional.
Mitchell can still apply for parole in May 2033.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Bravehearts 1800 272 831; Blue Knot Foundation 1300 657 380.
