An offender's professional position as a judicial officer is a relevant aggravating factor in sentencing for sexual offences against children, because it places the offender in a special position to appreciate the deleterious effects of such offending. The length of the period of offending is a very important sentencing factor for maintaining offences and should not be subordinated to the absence of penetrative acts. The combination of an offender's knowledge of the effects of sexual offending, the very young age of the victim, the extraordinary length of offending, and complete lack of remorse may make a case exceptional, warranting condign denunciation.
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