ADFA cadets at centre of Skype scandal avoid jail with good behaviour bond
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Version 0 of 1. Two Australian Defence Force cadets at the centre of the so-called Skype sex scandal have avoided jail sentences. Instead Daniel McDonald, 21, and Dylan Deblaquiere, 20, have been placed on good behaviour bonds by the ACT supreme court. Both men were convicted of using a telecommunications carriage service in an offensive manner. McDonald also was convicted of committing an act of indecency in March 2011 after he entered a "friends with benefits" arrangement and agreed to have sex with an unnamed female cadet in his room at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. Unknown to her, McDonald and Deblaquiere arranged to film the tryst on a webcam and transmit it by Skype to five others viewing it live in a nearby room. Justice John Nield, in sentencing the men on Wednesday, was scathing of the offenders’ behaviour. "The offenders abused and degraded the complainant for their own perverse satisfaction," he said. Outside the court, the victim — referred to as Kate — said the sentencing had ended two-and-a-half years of turmoil. "I now look forward to a new positive chapter in my life," she told reporters. "I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this difficult time." Standing with her mother, Kate said Justice Nield had been fair throughout the whole trial. "And I respect his decision in the matter," she said. Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |