By Sean Fewster
Adelaide Now
May 29, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23777622-2682,00.html
TWO men sexually assaulted by a respected community leader kept silent for 30 years because of their tormentor's high profile, an Adelaide court has heard.
The victims of Ronald Louis Tuckwell today told the District Court they suffered without support because everyone they knew loved their abuser.
 |
| Confessed child sex abuser Ronald Louis Tuckwell outside the Adelaide District Court last year. |
One of the men, who was just five when Tuckwell assaulted him, said he lives in fear he will continue the cycle of perversion.
"I know what's been done to me makes me a potential abuser," he said.
"I can't show affection to my nephews without feeling guilty, or that I might have an ulterior motive.
"I'm not trying to lay all my troubles at Tuckwell's feet. However, I will never know what my life could have been."
Tuckwell, 68, of Hoyleton, pleaded guilty to five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and four counts of indecent assault.
He abused the duo, and another boy, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Tuckwell is renowned in the Light Council area as a former mayoral candidate, teacher, volunteer worker and a church leader.
Today, one victim said Tuckwell's high profile prevented him speaking out about the abuse.
"He took away from me the support I might have otherwise expected from my church, school, peers and the broader community," he said.
"No mortal justice will account for the effect of his actions upon me."
He said he doubted the sincerity of Tuckwell's remorse.
"He will go to his grave believing the world is wrong and he is right," he said.
Tuckwell's lawyer asked his client's sentence be suspended, given his age and lack of recent offending.
Chief Judge Terry Worthington, however, said that was "most unlikely" to happen.
He revoked Tuckwell's bail and remanded him in custody for sentencing on a date to be set.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.