Man with 'sexual sadism disorder' jailed for predatory indecent assaults
A man with a "sexual sadism disorder" described by a Canberra magistrate as predatory has been sentenced to a minimum 18 months' jail over several indecent assaults.
Daniel Van Eyle, 23, of Canberra was charged with nine offences committed in 2013, ranging from offensive behaviour to possessing a knife, assault and acts of indecency.
He pleaded guilty to all charges in the ACT Magistrates Court.
The court heard on one occasion, Van Eyle sat next to a woman he did not know and said, "Why don't I hold you down and rape you?"
The woman left as quickly as she could.
On another day, he approached a woman who was with a friend at the Australian National University and touched her inappropriately.
When she tried to move away he said, "you can't recognise me".
On the same day, he unzipped a woman's skirt in the queue at a fast food restaurant and also touched her inappropriately.
He stopped when others in the line spoke to him.
Daniel Van Eyle had 'no empathy' for victims
In a separate incident, when Van Eyle was affected by drugs, he punched a female bus driver in the face and also hit two teenage girls.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker noted the doctor who examined him found he was not suffering a genuine mental illness.
"[But] I am satisfied that you suffer a substance abuse disorder, a personality disorder and a sexual sadism disorder," she said.
Chief Magistrate Walker indicated Van Eyle should be given an opportunity for rehabilitation.
But she told Van Eyle there was a need to protect the community from his actions.
"You appear to have no insight into how your behaviour affects others and no empathy for the victims," she said.
Van Eyle has been sentenced to 29 months' jail, with a non parole period of 18 months.
Ms Walker noted any parole should include careful supervision and monitoring.
