Sydney paedophile jailed for 24 years for abusing stepdaughter

Convicted paedophile Timothy James Stewart will serve at least 24 years behind bars.

A Sydney pedophile who groomed, drugged and sexually abused his stepdaughter will spend at least 24 years behind bars for his "vile and incomprehensible" crimes.

Timothy James Stewart, who represented himself at trial earlier this year, had insisted the abuse was consensual because he and his stepdaughter "acted like husband and wife".

His denial continued in the Sydney District Court today where, before he was sentenced, the 45-year-old muttered "you all knew" to his victim's disgusted family and supporters seated in the public gallery.

Stewart pleaded guilty to 99 charges relating to the abuse which occurred when the girl was aged between 12 and 15.

A jury in July found him guilty of a further 28 offences, including drugging the girl and her mother and indecently assaulting her younger sister when she was about 11.

Judge Paul Conlon said Stewart's grooming of the older sibling was "total, complete and overwhelming" and he filmed the acts for his own sexual gratification.

"This vile and indecent obsession with his stepdaughter ... involved an abhorrent breach of trust," he said.

"This type of offending is simply incomprehensible."

Stewart objected to his name being released, telling the court he feared retribution in prison.

A long list detailing the abuse was read out in court today. Stewart showed little emotion throughout but at one point closed his eyes.

Camera memory cards containing images and footage of the abuse were found hidden in the lining of a jacket pocket.

Judge Conlon said the girl was "virtually reduced to an inanimate object" when she was drugged.

Prosecutors today told the court the victims consented to Stewart's name being published. He immediately objected from the dock.

"I'm already at high risk ... of violence (in prison)," he protested.

Judge Conlon replied: "You are in that category as a result of these matters."

Stewart was sentenced to 32 years in jail with a non-parole period of 24. He will be 66 when he is eligible for release in 2038.

The mother and older daughter embraced in the courtroom and the mother dismissively waved goodbye as Stewart was led away.

Outside court, the older daughter said she had not expected such a long sentence.

"It's been a long time coming," she told reporters.

"I don't think he'll be coming out anytime in my life, so I'm pretty happy."

Her mother rejected Stewart's accusation that the family knew of the abuse and praised her children's honesty.

"I hope their strength and this outcome gives some comfort to other survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence," she said.

"Abuse of any kind is not acceptable ... pedophiles have no place in society."

CHARGES

Ninety-nine sexual abuse offences relating to one stepdaughter when she was aged 12 to 15. A further 28 offences relating to the drugging of both that girl and her mother along with the indecent assault of a younger stepdaughter who about 11 at the time.

ARREST

Allegations against Stewart first came to light in January 2014 and he was arrested. His grooming of the girl began in 2009.

TRIAL

Stewart represented himself at a Sydney trial in July telling the jury the abuse was consensual because he and the older victim "acted like husband and wife".

He thought the girl had a crush on him and filmed and photographed the sexual abuse.

Stewart would mix travel sickness tablets into his then-partner's food so she would sleep while he abused her daughter.

JUDGMENT

District Court Judge Paul Conlon described Stewart's grooming of the girl as "total, complete and overwhelming" and said his offending was "simply incomprehensible".

The victim was "virtually deduced to an inanimate object" when she was drugged, he added.

Judge Conlon said Stewart harboured a "vile and indecent obsession" with his stepdaughter that involved an "abhorrent breach of trust".

SENTENCE

Thirty-two years' jail with a minimum term of 24 years.