Australian Psychologist Bob Montgomery Gets Four Years Prison For Child Sex Offenses Committed in the 1960s

December 19, 2020

Robert Bruce Montgomery, 76, who was once a prominent psychologist, has been sentenced to four years in prison over child sex offences committed in the 1960s.

Montgomery was a Scout Leader in Edgecliff in Sydney's eastern suburbs when he abused three boys over a number of years.

In 1965 he was made to resign from the organisation after it was made aware of his offending but no formal legal action was taken.

In 1966 as a teacher at a Marrickville High School he sexually assaulted a fourth boy.

He later had a prominent career as a psychologist and was president of the Australian Psychological Society from 2009 to 2011.

In 2018 Montgomery was extradited from Queensland and charged after his victims reported the abuse.

He will be eligible for parole in 12 months.

His victims, who are now adults, cried and hugged one another in court after the sentencing.

Montgomery was supported in court by his wife.

He handed her his wedding ring prior to the sentencing in anticipation of his incarceration.

The court heard Montgomery had a distinguished career which included working with reality television show Big Brother and preparing reports for Family Court matters.

His role for the Family Court included assessing the credibility of child sex abuse allegations in custody disputes.

In sentencing, Judge Paul Conlon said through Montgomery's study of psychology he would have developed a strong understanding of the suffering of his victims.

Judge Conlon said in regard to the length of the sentence consideration had been given to the fact Montgomery had several health issues including moderate to severe dementia.

An expert medical opinion given to the court estimated he would live another 3.75 years.

'Justice has found its mark'

Outside court one of Montgomery's victims said he agreed with the reasons given by the judge.

The man said it had been a harrowing several years since the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse had given him the confidence to come forward.

"Justice has found its mark and accountability, its rightful place," he said.

The victim impact statement that man read to the court detailed decades of instability in his life which he attributed to Montgomery sexually assaulting him at age 12.

"I have developed an acute awareness of how the abuse has had such a devastating impact and effect on my entire life thus far," he said.

"It became clear to me just how the abuse actually has been responsible for so many failings and shortfalls, trials and tribulations, bad choices, paranoia, heartache and mental anguish for myself.

"And just what those people close to me have had to endure because of it."

Source: James Carmody, “Bob Montgomery sentenced to four years in prison for historic child sex offences,” ABC News (Australia), Dec. 6, 2020, URL: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-07/australian-psychological-society-bob-montgomery-child-sex-abuse/12956704