Maurice Van Ryn applies to reduce increased sentence

In February, Van Ryn's sentence was nearly doubled from seven years to 13 years and six months after an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Special leave to appeal against the increased sentence was filed by Van Ryn's lawyers on March 8.

“Mr Van Ryn’s application to seek leave to appeal to the High Court continues his pattern of causing pain and suffering to his victims and their respective families,” a father of victims and spokesperson for the families said on Wednesday.

“We do not believe Mr Van Ryn has ever accepted the criminality of his actions and the hurt his abominable actions have caused to our children and the wider impact it has had upon the Bega community.

“His attempt to have the High Court reduce his period of incarceration is further proof that he refuses to accept his punishment, which the highest court in NSW deemed to be appropriate for the type and number of offences he committed,” he said.

Remaining confident, the father said if Van Ryn is granted leave to appeal to the High Court it will become an opportunity to set a legal precedent.

“Hopefully Van Ryn’s spurious claims for a reduced sentence will be rejected, and in turn the rejection of such legal arguments will apply to all future courts in Australia when dealing with child sex offenders,” he said.

Victims of Crime Assistance League CEO Robyn Cotterell-Jones OAM said the legal system is based on the rights of the accused and victims are witnesses only.

“The victims are witnesses only,” Ms Cotterell-Jones said.

“With the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse educating the community about how damaging these crimes are hopefully the High Court could be instrumental in positive societal change.”