Paedophile 'camouflaged' himself as caring, empathetic man

The 34-year-old son of an Indian diplomat ran a business, had a long-term girlfriend, was active in the church, and performed in amateur theatre productions.

He liked to post thought-provoking messages on his Twitter account and had his own YouTube channel, which featured him performing opera.

But Justice John Burns said that public profile was a smokescreen to disguise his sexual attraction to young girls.

"You understand that this attraction is viewed as abhorrent in the community, and that acting upon it, as you did when you committed these offences, constitutes serious criminal conduct," Justice John Burns said.

"You therefore camouflage yourself by adopting a persona as an intelligent, caring, empathetic man. You affect Christian values.

''It is this camouflage that allowed you access to your victims to satisfy your sexual desires."

Justice Burns jailed Edwin on Thursday for more than a decade for a series of offences committed against three young girls in 2009 and 2010.

Two ACT Supreme Court juries, in separate trials in May and June, rejected Edwin's claims of innocence to find him guilty of 17 offences, including producing and possessing child pornography, acts of indecency and child grooming.

Edwin's criminal activities were discovered after adults swapped text messages with him using an 11-year-old victim's mobile phone.

The adults notified the police, who then raided Edwin's home and found home-made child pornography on his electronic equipment.

Edwin told the court during his two trials that the pornography was part of medical research and an art project.

He continued to maintain his innocence to the author of a pre-sentence report, who found the defendant was a moderate to low risk of reoffending

But Justice Burns said Edwin, who is the son of an Indian diplomat, had lied shamelessly under oath and had continued the pattern of dishonesty since.

The judge said the defendant had shown no remorse and was satisfied that he felt none.

"I doubt very much that you have any understanding of the concepts of morality or conscience,'' Justice Burns said. "These offences suggest as much. That suggestion is supported by the fact that in order to avoid the consequences of your acts you were willing to lie shamelessly on oath about what you did and why you did it.

''You continued this pattern of dishonesty by repeating your lies to the author of the [pre-sentence report]." Justice Burns said Edwin presented a high risk of reoffending and had grave doubts about his rehabilitation.

The court has previously heard the Indian national would probably be deported upon his release from prison, a course of action the judge supported.

"For what it is worth, I would certainly add my recommendation that you be deported," he said.

Justice Burns jailed Edwin for 10 years and eight months, backdated to take into account time spent in custody, with a non-parole period of 6½ years.

Edwin will be eligible for parole in March 2017.

Fairfax Media understands Edwin intends to appeal the decision.