Depraved tradie, 27, is found guilty of repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl

A mechanic from south-east Queensland has been found guilty of the ‘vile and despicable’ sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl. 

Dylan Barry Phillip Buckingham, 27, was sentenced this week in Brisbane District Court for three counts of rape, four counts of indecent treatment of a child, and maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child. 

The court heard the offending spanned six months from August 2016 to February 2017 after he struck up a friendship with the girl’s family. 

Dylan Buckingham, 27, was sentenced this week in Brisbane District Court for three counts of rape, four counts of indecent treatment of a child, and maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child (stock image) 

The victim, now 16-years-old, bravely sat in the gallery as the sickening details of the offending were read to the court and the sentence was handed down, reports The Courier Mail. 

Prosecutor Toby Corsbie said the offender, then aged 22, convinced the victim ‘she was in a relationship with him, as an 11-year-old child.’ 

He repeatedly abused the girl by inappropriately touching her and on one occasion raped her in his bedroom. 

‘Outside of those sexual acts there were numerous incidents of kissing … as well as the degree of moral corruption,’ Mr Corsbie said. 

Judge Michael Burnett said Buckingham had taken advantage of the vulnerable young girl. 

‘Children are to be protected. They are far too young to understand these adult things and you did take advantage opportunistically of that situation.’  

He was found to have lied under oath about the offending and was sentenced to six and-a-half years jail. 

He will be eligible for parole in March 2024.