‘Burra chef jailed
By Matt Dunn
GREGORY BARRY FOWLES, a 41-year-old former chef of Korumburra, has been sentenced to four years jail, with a non parole period of two years, after being convicted on six counts of indecent assault.
The assaults for which he was convicted occurred between 2002 and 2008.
“The crimes he’s been convicted of all happened within work times, on the work location,” Bass Coast CIU Senior Detective Richard Sully said.
The two women who blew the whistle on Fowles, Simone* and Sarah*, told The Star the abuses had affected every aspect of their lives, including relationships with family.
Snr Det. Sully said several witnesses had backed the women’s claims in court, a fact that helped strengthen the case. Even so, the women had suffered through the trial.
“These matters are hard at the best of times, especially when it’s one person versus another. Victims do well, to tell you the truth, to ride through it all. You wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” he said.
For Simone and Sarah, the sentencing last Thursday in the Melbourne County Court was a long time coming, but a sweet victory.
Judge Sue Pullen told Fowles he was “persistent in your pursuit” of the women, despite warnings from his boss to stop.
“Obviously your behaviour is totally unacceptable,” she said.
Fowles has been held in custody since his conviction at the County Court in Morwell on June 18.
Sarah said she suffered the abuse because Fowles “was like a part of the furniture there”.
“It was like, who’s going to believe me over someone who’s been part of the furniture for so many years?” she said.
Simone said that outwardly Fowles appeared to be a “really nice guy”.
“He’s a really good cook, a good chef. That was the whole reason he got away with it. People don’t believe he could do the things he did,” she said.
“He was a predator. He knew how to do it. He’d corner you.”
For the pair the emotional toll has been extreme, and the lengthy court case, which began with a committal hearing on January 11, often had them feeling like they were being put on trial themselves. Even now, with the case over, they do not really have a feeling of closure.
“You don’t forget about it, ever. It’s not something that goes out of your head,” Sarah said.
In her victim impact statement Sarah would speak to the court of feeling “scared, violated, numb, depressed and withdrawn, along with an intense feeling of always being dirty”.
Simone would tell of “many sleepless nights or waking up from bad dreams about the crimes, hot and cold sweats, heart palpitations and stomach cramps.
“It is hard to explain to my children why I sometimes am the way I am.I now live a life I don’t understand. I have become very angry, withdrawn, physically ill with nausea and have been diagnosed with depression and post traumatic stress disorder,” she revealed.
Her resolve to see the trial through was strengthened by her belief that Fowles “got away with so much for so long.
“He needs to be exposed. People need to know the sort of person he is. I guess it’s like gambling. Unless you admit you’ve got a problem and deal with it, that behaviour is always going to be there,” she said.
“How long does it have to go on? If I hadn’t come forward he’d still be doing it.”
WorkSafe’s Michael Birt said it was a “fundamental requirement for all employers to provide and maintain a safe workplace.
“This includes prevention of bullying and harassment. In relation to these issues they need to ensure they and all employees are aware of what harassment is and what should be done to prevent it,” he said.
“They must also have systems in place by which it can be reported and dealt with. As we’ve seen from many cases, the consequences can be serious and long term.
“In the case of WorkSafe Prohibition Notices not being complied with, or in very serious offences, WorkSafe can investigate and if there is evidence that will support a prosecution, the matter can be dealt with in the Magistrates or County Court where it is possible to face fines of more than $1m per charge.”
*The names of the victims have been changed at their request.
Short URL: http://www.thestar.com.au/?p=223
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