HE COULD BE FREE SOON… BUT HER FAMILY IS STILL LIVING THE NIGHTMARE: BRISBANE MOTHER BREAKS SILENCE OVER SH0CK EARLY RELEASE POSSIBILITY
A mother says she feels “gutted” over a sentence handed to a retiree who groomed her daughter and attempted to rape another young girl in a park.
Colin Max Behan, 79, may be free in months after being sentenced in Brisbane District Court on Tuesday.
Colin Max Behan. 9News
Behan had pleaded guilty to seven offences including the attempted rape of the 10-year-old in the park and procuring a 12-year-old girl for sex.
He will be eligible for parole in mid-October after being sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment with 14 months already served.
The mother of a girl Behan tried to exploit said justice had “not at all” been served.
“I was actually pretty gutted,” she told reporters outside court.
“What about the children? She has to live in fear for the rest of her life … it’s gut-wrenching.”
Behan entered court with a mobility walker and frequently stared down and shook during the hearing.
The mother of a young girl groomed by elderly retiree Colin Max Behan speaks to media outside the Brisbane District Court. AAP Image/Rex Martinich
Judge Carl Heaton paused proceedings multiple times to check if Behan was still conscious.
Behan engaged in persistent attempts to groom one of the girls and force the other into sex, Judge Heaton heard.
“His offending is abhorrent and should not be tolerated,” the crown prosecutor said.
Behan followed the 10-year-old girl in a public park north of Brisbane in February 2025 before making demands and assaulting her.
“She said ‘no’, but you persisted and offered her $10,” Judge Heaton said.
“She felt scared and threatened.”
Behan later blamed the girl and claimed she initiated the behaviour.
On a later date Behan had the girl ride on his mobility scooter before attempting to rape her.
Behan in August 2024 sent text messages to a 12-year-old girl asking for her to send “nudes”.
“Can you please, I’ll do anything,” he texted.
Behan later showed a pornographic film while the girl was playing a game on his computer.
“He poses real and substantial risk to the community,” the crown prosecutor said.
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Defence barrister Sean Franklin said Behan had no prior criminal record except for drink driving.
“When he read the victim impact statements, he hung his head in shame and said ‘I’m so, so, so sorry’,” Franklin said.
In sentencing, Judge Heaton said the victims suffered profound consequences that would significantly change the course of their lives.
“The focus is the need to protect children from the predatory proclivities of people such as you,” he said.
Outside court, the grooming victim’s mother delivered a message for any parole board considering an early release for Behan.
“Don’t do it,” she said.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
SOURCE: https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/qld/mother-gutted-as-brisbane-child-abuser-could-be-free-within-months-20260707-p60ded.html
