Oz man gets suspended sentence for raping, impregnating sister

Melbourne, Jan 31 (ANI): A man in Australia has been given a suspended sentence and released on a bond for raping and getting his sister pregnant more than 20 years ago.

The man, 40, admitted to five years of sexual abuse, which had begun when his sister was aged 11 and he was 13, and it continued until she fell pregnant at about the age of 16.

He pleaded guilty in the South Australian District Court in November last year to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse in 1989.

Judge Rosemary Davey described the case as a "horrific series of events", especially since the parents involved refused to believe their daughter and had instead been angry with her.

They also convinced her to have the pregnancy terminated against her wishes, with the girl then expected to return to school and carry on as normal.

"A decision was made by people other than your victim to put a lid on it. That helped you, perhaps," News.com.au quoted Judge Davey as telling the man.

"It did not help your victim and she has continued to suffer and significantly suffer," she stated.

The judge imposed a three-year jail sentence with a non-parole period of 18 months, but she suspended the sentence, placing the man on a three-year good behaviour bond. (ANI)