Paedophile Maurice Van Ryn's Tathra home targeted by 'firebombing'

REFERRING to confessed paedophile Maurice Van Ryn as “a model citizen” has outraged the community, child protection group Bravehearts and, in no small measure, the families of victims.

The BDN has spoken to the parents of several of Van Ryn’s young victims, who were appalled at comments made by the District Court Judge presiding over his bail review.

On Thursday, Judge Rodney Madgwick said of Van Ryn, “there’s no suggestion that, other than the offending, he hasn’t been a model citizen”.

One father, who we will not identify, said he was outraged when he heard that.

 “I am absolutely outraged at such out-of-date, out-of-touch comments by a member of the judiciary,” he said.

Those views were echoed by Bravehearts founder and CEO Hetty Johnston.

“It’s alarming that we are still hearing these sorts of comments coming out of courtrooms,” Ms Johnston said.

“It’s an insult.

“I’m sure it’s not intentional and I know they have a tough job to do, but it’s time judges and the court system looked at these crimes through the eyes of victims.”

Ms Johnston said the “model citizen” notion of paedophiles was an act.

“These people are well-behaved, they say all the right things in all the right circles – but it’s all to get access to children.

“It’s a fraud, a chameleon game they play.

“They play the game well and to be rewarded for it…there are no words,” she said of the judge’s comments and the possibility of bail being continued.

The bail review was adjourned to be heard on Wednesday.

ANOTHER incident causing consternation among the victims’ families is the apparent firebombing of Van Ryn’s letterbox at his family’s Tathra home.

The parent the BDN spoke to said in the early hours of Saturday morning it is believed the letterbox was destroyed with the use of an accelerant.

“None of the direct victims’ families were involved,” he said.

“We are as gobsmacked as anyone.”

He said such behaviour could do the victims and their families a disservice, as it puts them in a poor light and sets Van Ryn up as a victim himself.