Ranges Trader
Tuesday, 6 June, 2023
Trail Running Series returns to Silvan in August
Knox City Council raises alarm over development
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A Star News Group Publication
Peter Dutton rejects Voice threat to Liberal vote
Sherbrooke Suns in bus fire scare en route to match
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PAGE 12 Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
12496493-NG22-21
Jailed ... but free By Karen Sweeney, AAP A Puffing Billy volunteer who sexually abused two young train enthusiasts has been sentenced to prison time but is unlikely to serve a day. Anthony Hutchins was sentenced to two years and nine months behind bars after he admitted abusing the 12-year-old boys in the 1970s. Victorian County Court Judge Trevor Wraight agreed to wholly suspend the prison sentence for the 81-year-old, who has a lengthy list of physical ailments and a limited life expectancy. Hutchins has already spent time behind bars for sexually abusing boys and the judge described that experience in the 1980s as having a profound impact on him. He has not offended since. The latest charges relate to abusing one boy over four years, starting when he was 12. He was a train enthusiast and was encouraged by Hutchins to volunteer at Puffing Billy, driving him to the heritage railway for track work and later to model train events.
The man told the court he felt cheapened by memories that he now realises were efforts by Hutchins to groom him. “As a child, what I thought of as friendship was actually grooming (and) transactional - you sought sexual gratification,” he said. The man said his suppression of what happened to him for so long left him with a distrust of most people, and he now questioned the sincerity of people trying to help him or love him, wondering what was in it for them. He came forward in 2018 and Hutchins admitted what he had done when arrested and interviewed. His lawyer told the court Hutchins didn’t seek the man’s forgiveness but wanted to offer a deep and genuine apology for the pain and suffering he caused. Another man came forward in 2021 after seeing Hutchins’ photo in reports about a Puffing Billy pedophile.
Zac, Charmaine Kvalic and Peter.
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Macclesfield mural will highlight endangered bird Macclesfield Primary School students and staff are raising awareness of a local critically endangered species with a new wholeschool mural project. Artist and education support staff mem-
ber Charmaine Kvalic will paint an image of a Helmeted Honeyeater on a three-by-four metre wall at the front of the school alongside interested students. Turn to page 9 for more
Turn to page 5 for full story
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