Paedophile jokes about getting Maccas in chilling police recording
A father jailed for luring a young girl from a Queensland Kmart before sexually assaulting her in bushland joked with police following his arrest.
Police audio obtained by Nine News reveals the moment Sterling Free sat down with investigators following his arrest two days after he took his seven-year-old victim to a secluded spot in Elimbah in December last year.
He had lured the girl from Westfield North Lakes and drove her several kilometres away before returning her to the store.
In the audio, Free, 27, can be heard casually discussing a McDonalds meal he was bought by officers after returning from the crime scene with officers.
“It's one of the worst nights of my life and was never expecting to go through the Macca's drive-thru with three detectives,” Free can be heard saying before sniggering.
An officer asks him if he had a McRib burger to which Free responds, “Nah I just had a Quarter Pounder. I still feel a little bit sick so I don't want to eat too much."
At one stage an officer asks Free about his twin daughters.
“Gorgeous twins mate,” the officer says.
“They are a blessing,” Free responds.
Earlier this month Free was jailed for eight years.
Free had pleaded guilty to deprivation of liberty, taking a child for immoral purposes and indecent treatment of a child under 12.
He will be eligible for parole in August 2021.
Following his sentencing, Free’s lawyer Shaune Irving read a statement to media on behalf of his client revealing his regret over his actions.
“I took away her innocence and scared her family. I hope that today my sentence provides her and her family some closure,” he said.
“I can only ever say sorry. I know this is not good enough. I cannot imagine the pain and fear I’ve caused. I can’t take that back.”
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