A Canberra teen who molested his young half-sister is not welcome back in the family home, a court has heard.
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The boy will remain in care for at least the next three years as his biological mother is also unwilling to take him in.
The 14-year-old was on Friday sentenced to a three-year good behaviour order in the ACT Supreme Court for the crime of incest and committing an act of indecency on his five-year-old half-sister.
The teen was 13 when he abused the girl in the family home in July last year.
The child told her mother later that evening and the boy was arrested.
He pleaded guilty to the two charges.
Victim impact statements said the girl’s mother had experienced sadness and depression as a result of the crime and the girl could no longer sleep in her room with the door closed.
The parents worried of the long-term impact the offence would have on the girl as she grew into adulthood.
The court heard the boy had an unstable family history, marred by conflict and violence.
His father had been charged with assault after hitting the boy as physical discipline when he was 11.
The offender is now estranged from the family as the step-mother refuses to see him again and will not allow him to see his siblings.
He has had some contact with his father but was unwelcome to return home due to his step-mother's position.
The court heard the boy had a history of behavioral issues at home and at school, but there had been no concerns since he had been in care.
He had no criminal history and cook prospects of rehabilitation.
The court heard he had been exposed to a significant amount of pornography for a child his age and viewed explicit material daily at the peak of his use.
He had exhibited normal mental and emotional maturity for his age.
Justice Iain Ross said on Friday he was satisfied the offence had been opportunistic, with no evidence of planning or forethought, and the teen took responsibility and demonstrated remorse for his actions.
The judge found the boy was a low risk of reoffending and ruled out a jail sentence as the community did not need protection from him.
Justice Ross ordered the boy sign a three year good behaviour order, with conditions to include supervision.
