Key Takeaways
- Geoffrey Miller was found guilty of 12 charges, including rape and supplying methamphetamine to one of his victims.
- Miller’s offending began when he was 14 years old and continued into adulthood, affecting two victims.
- Both victims suffered from mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and depression, as a result of Miller’s actions.
- Miller showed no remorse and denied any wrongdoing, despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
- He was sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison for his crimes.
Introduction to the Case
Geoffrey Miller, a man with a history of sexual offending, was recently sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison for his crimes. The case against him was built on the testimony of two victims, both of whom were subjected to his abuse and exploitation. Miller’s first round of offending occurred when he was just 14 years old, and he repeatedly sexually abused a girl, violating her with objects and plying her with alcohol until she passed out. This pattern of behavior continued into adulthood, with Miller targeting a new victim and supplying her with methamphetamine and cannabis.
The Victims’ Stories
The two victims, now adults, bravely shared their stories in court, detailing the devastating impact of Miller’s actions on their lives. The first victim spoke of the fear and anxiety she experienced as a result of Miller’s abuse, which included physical and verbal violence. She described how she had to "grow up real fast" to survive and lived with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and depression for years. The second victim also spoke of the mental health challenges she faced, including a drug addiction that took hold after Miller supplied her with drugs. She described feeling like a "worthless piece of meat" and struggled to remember ever feeling happy or good enough.
The Sentencing
At the sentencing hearing, Crown lawyer Danette Cole highlighted the severity of Miller’s offending and the lasting impact it had on the victims. She noted that both victims had reported Miller’s physical violence towards them and that their lives had taken a turn for the worse as a result of his actions. Miller’s lawyer, Chris Muston, made no oral submissions, and Miller himself showed no remorse, denying any wrongdoing despite the overwhelming evidence against him. Judge Keith de Ridder noted that Miller’s offending was premeditated, violent, and intrusive, and that he had made threats against the first victim to prevent her from speaking out.
The Sentence
Judge de Ridder sentenced Miller to five years and seven months for the rape of the first victim, and imposed an additional cumulative four-year term for offending against the second. This resulted in a total sentence of nine years and seven months in prison. The judge considered the act of supplying drugs to a child to facilitate offending against the second victim as an aggravating feature, and Miller’s lack of remorse and denial of wrongdoing were also taken into account.
Conclusion
The case of Geoffrey Miller highlights the devastating impact of sexual offending on victims and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The bravery of the two victims in coming forward and sharing their stories is a testament to their strength and resilience. The sentence handed down to Miller reflects the severity of his crimes and serves as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated in our society. As the victims continue to rebuild their lives and heal from their experiences, it is hoped that they will find some measure of closure and justice in the knowledge that their abuser has been brought to account.