Justice has been served as South Coast Man Convicted of Child Sex Offences

Batemans Bay father of two, Mark Ladmore is found guilty of 9 child sex offences. Photo: Facebook.

A Far South Coast man has been found guilty of eight child sex-related offences following a trial in Bega District Court.

Mark Ladmore, a 44-year-old air conditioning company operator, faced trial earlier this month after pleading not guilty to multiple charges, including sexually assaulting a child. Details of charges originally published in this article have been redacted upon request from the victims family.

His Honour Judge Andrew Haesler SC ruled against Ladmore, stating that he was an unreliable witness who had lied to the court.

The court found that in addition to sexually assaulting the child…Details of charges originally published in this article have been redacted upon request from the victims family.

Following the verdict, Ladmore was denied bail and immediately taken into custody. Justice Haesler informed him that he faced a substantial prison sentence.

During sentencing remarks, delivered in a packed courtroom filled with the victim’s family, Judge Haesler confirmed that Ladmore exhibited a sexual interest in the victim, Details of charges originally published in this article have been redacted upon request from the victims family. and had lied when denying the allegations.

The judge also noted that after his arrest, Ladmore purchased a new car with a number plate featuring…Details of charges originally published in this article have been redacted upon request from the victims family.

Screenshot of Mark Ladmore’s comment on a facebook photo of a soldier holding a rifle. Image: Facebook

Justice Haesler emphasized the credibility of the victim’s testimony, stating it aligned with previous accounts given to the victims parents. Details of charges originally published in this article have been redacted upon request from the victims family.

In one of the incidents detailed in court, related to count three, the judge recounted how Ladmore allegedly… Details of charges originally published in this article have been redacted upon request from the victims family.

Ladmore's defence barrister, David McCallum, argued that it was highly improbable… Details of charges originally published in this article have been redacted upon request from the victims family. “I accept that a blow strong enough to bring down an adult is unlikely; however, the complainant had attended self defence lessons.” Upon hearing the mention of self defence lessons, Crown Prosecutor Roger Kimbell reacted with a slight but unmistakably proud smirk.

Ladmore now awaits sentencing, with a significant prison term expected.

Update: In May 2025, Mark Andrew Ladmore was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 years. He appeared via video link for the sentencing, showing no remorse or empathy throughout the proceedings. He smirked in response to some of the charges being read. Although Ladmore maintained a plea of not guilty, the judge noted that while he was entitled to do so, the evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty.

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