Roderick Simpson: Pia Wadjarri man jailed for 15 months for performing sex acts in front of young girls

A man who performed an indecent act in front of young girls has been sentenced to 15 months behind bars after he pleaded guilty to the sickening incidents. Roderick James Simpson, from the remote community of Pia Wadjarri, appeared in Geraldton District Court on Monday for sentencing on four counts of indecent dealing with a child under 13 years. The 60-year-old man pleaded guilty to all four counts which occurred in Pia Wadjarri between October 1, 2019, and June 22, 2021. State prosecutor Gary Huggins said the offending involved two victims as young as 11. On one occasion the victim was walking with her friends when Simpson waved at her from across the road and told her to “touch it” as he was performing an indecent act. Another time Simpson is said to have approached the victim, pulled his trousers down and began performing the same indecent act. He was arrested at Pia Wadjarri and has been in custody at Greenough Regional Prison since December 31, 2021. Defence lawyer Xavier Sellathambu said Simpson’s decision-making process was impaired at the time as he had been drinking alcohol. However, he stressed that no physical contact, violence, grooming or emotional manipulation was alleged to have occurred with the children. The court was told the man was removed from his parents care at the age of five and taken to Pallottine Mission, 50km from Mullewa. Mr Sellathambu said it was here where Simpson was severely sexually and physically abused until he was 14. Taking these factors into account, District Court Judge Michael Bowden sentenced Simpson to 15 months jail. The sentence will be backdated to December 31, 2021, meaning he is now eligible for parole.