The ACT Supreme Court heard Michael Rigo told his victim not to tell anyone about the incidents as it would hurt the boy's future career aspirations. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
In short:
Former umpire coach Michael Rigo has been sentenced to prison for indecently assaulting a 16-year-old boy on four occasions after training sessions in the 1980s.
The ACT Supreme Court heard there was "insidiousness" to the now-70-year-old's offending, and he "was plainly aware of the wrongfulness" of his actions.
What's next?
Rigo was sentenced to a two-year term of imprisonment, to be suspended after four months, meaning he will be released in September.
A former AFL umpire coach will spend four months behind bars after sexually abusing a teenage boy after training sessions in Canberra in the 1980s.
Michael Rigo was 30 when he met his 16-year-old victim in 1985, offering him a lift after the boy's bike got a flat tyre on the way home from a football umpire tournament.
Rigo was also wearing an umpire uniform at the time.
The meeting led to Rigo, now 70, coaching the boy and becoming friendly with his parents.
Over the next 18 months Rigo committed four acts of indecency against the boy — two in his car and two at his house.
Perpetrator identified over two decades later
The ACT Supreme Court heard Rigo told the boy not to tell anyone about the incidents as it would hurt the boy's future career aspirations.
It wasn't until two years ago that the victim disclosed the abuse to his then-girlfriend, and later to his parents, identifying Rigo as the perpetrator.
ACT Policing began investigating the allegations in early 2023 and arrested Rigo at his Denman Prospect home in July.
He was initially charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four counts of acts of indecency without consent.
He was granted conditional bail after spending two days in custody, and later pleaded guilty to the four charges of acts of indecency without consent before a trial date was set.
'The offender was plainly aware of the wrongfulness'
In sentencing Rigo today, Acting Justice Rebecca Christensen said he "exploited the victim", adding there was "insidiousness to the offending".
"The offender was plainly aware of the wrongfulness," she said.
Acting Justice Christensen also revealed the "pervasive impact" the abuse had taken on the victim's life.
She said these included a persistent fear of being alone with other men, difficulty maintaining friendships, and the failure of two marriages due to trust issues.
"He has relied on gambling as an escape from reality,"
Acting Justice Christensen said.
She said the victim had also used alcohol to "numb himself".
Court considers offender's community contribution, declining health
The court heard today that Rigo had submitted a letter expressing his deep regret for the hurt and ongoing harm he caused and taking full responsibility for his actions against the victim.
"I accept that there has been progress since the time of the offending," Acting Justice Christensen said.
In determining Rigo's sentence, Acting Justice Christensen said she considered the fact there was little-to-no risk of reoffending — as well as his age, declining health and significant caring responsibilities for his wife and son.
She also factored in evidence about Rigo's contribution to the community, including as a paramedic, teaching first aid and a variety of critical roles during the COVID-19 response.
"He is described as having lived a life of service,"
Acting Justice Christensen said.
But she said, ultimately, a custodial sentence was the only way of ensuring a just punishment that recognises the harm to the victim.
"I cannot accept that an entirely community-based sentence order … recognises the harm done to the victim," she said.
Rigo was sentenced to a two-year term of imprisonment, to be suspended after four months, which means he is set to be released in September.