Overview

• Robert Eccles, 72, was convicted in April of four child abuse charges including indecent acts and sexual penetration of a teenager he mentored
• Chief Judge Amanda Chambers labelled his conduct an egregious breach of trust by an Indigenous elder and mentor
• He received a maximum sentence of four years eight months with parole eligibility set at two years eleven months
• The abuse began in 2011 when Eccles gave the boy full-body massages in his garage that became sexual after the victim turned 16
• Victoria’s Minister for Ageing has asked him to return his 2021 Senior of the Year award trophy and certificate