The brother of AFL legend Justin Leppitsch was on his way to being a fireman or joining the air force but instead became a registered sex offender for life after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
Matthew Leppitsch, 27, was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court on Wednesday to a minimum two years and eight months’ jail time after he was found guilty of three charges of sexual penetration of a child under 16.
Leppitsch, who was handed a maximum of four years and 10 months, was also found guilty of committing an indecent act on a child.
The jury heard Leppitsch violated his victim on multiple occasions during social gatherings at his family’s Mount Eliza home on the Mornington Peninsula.
The abuse first began almost a decade ago when Leppitsch was 18, with the victim telling the court she was sexually violated from the age of 13.
The court heard the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, entered Leppitsch’s bedroom to watch a movie but was instead pounced on in an ‘opportunistic’ way and subjected to an unwanted sexual act.
The lewd offending ended when the victim’s mother opened the bedroom door and told her daughter to come out of the room.
‘I don’t feel comfortable with you being in that room,’ the victim’s mum said.
The County Court heard Justin Leppitsch (left) texted the victim’s dad during the trial (his half brother Matthew is pictured right)
Justin Leppitsch (right) is the General Manager of talent at Collingwood and the half-brother of Matthew Leppitsch, who has been found guilty of child sex offences
The victim recalled she told her mum ‘nothing happened’ because she feared she would get into trouble.
Leppitsch ‘took advantage of the dynamics of the families’ when he violated the girl a second time at the home months later, the court was told.
The victim initially kept Leppitsch’s behaviour a secret before she revealed the sexual assaults to a friend, then to her mother, before the matter was reported to police.
The court heard allegations Leppitsch told his victim ‘no one will know’ and acted like nothing had happened after the second violation.
It was revealed at last month’s plea hearing that Leppitsch’s brother Justin, a three-time premiership player with the Brisbane Lions and currently head of playing list strategy at Collingwood, rang and texted the victim’s dad while his brother was on trial in November last year.
‘I’ve also been instructed to put on the record that post the verdict in this matter, the offender’s half-brother, Justin Leppitsch, contacted [the victim’s] father by telephone and spoke, well, sent text messages about the trial,’ prosecutor Charlotte Duckett said.
‘I just wanted it on the transcript, your honour because of the behaviours exhibited during the trial as well and what went on.’
Judge Kevin Doyle said the relationship has been ‘destroyed’ following the offending.
Child sex offender Matthew Leppitsch (left) with his AFL legend brother Justin Leppitsch (right)
Leppitsch in his playing days for the Brisbane Lions in May 1999
The victim, who was present at sentencing, previously read her passionate victim impact statement to the court.
‘Matthew Earl Leppitsch, since 2016 I have carried a devastating secret suppressed by the weight of what you did to me,’ the victim said.
‘You sexually assaulted me on two separate occasions and for years I hid the truth, but now I’m finally reclaiming my voice and the reality of your actions is known to all.’
The victim also said Leppitsch’s offending had ‘profound and lifelong consequences’.
‘I have been unable to form or maintain a healthy relationship due to the persistent flashbacks and ongoing trauma of repeatedly living these events,’ she said.
‘This crime has affected every aspect of my life… you exploited my innocence and my silence, fully aware of the destruction your choices would cause.’
The victim said she felt an ‘immense sense of betrayal’ while accusing Leppitsch of turning everyone against her.
‘To know you now have a young daughter, who will one day be 13-years-old like I was when you took advantage of me, sickens me to my stomach,’ she said.
Leppitsch was an assistant coach at Richmond during its run of three premierships in four years.
Leppitsch was sacked as senior coach of the Brisbane Lions in 2016
‘You no longer hold any power over me Matthew Leppitsch, I am moving forward to build the life you attempted to destroy.
‘You’re finally being held accountable for the trauma you inflicted and now it’s not just me that knows but instead everyone else. Shame on you.’
The court heard Leppitsch came from a ‘somewhat privileged upbringing’ who had ‘nerdy interests’. He has since studied business at university, purchased a house and has been in a long-term relationship.
Leppitsch was also described as a ‘very devoted’ dad to his daughter and has ‘ongoing involvement’ in coaching sports teams.
The defence submitted Leppitsch’s time in custody would be harder because he has anxiety and a recent autism diagnosis.
The court heard there was a ‘matter’ involving Leppitsch’s cellmate but that ‘hasn’t been reported and nor will it be’.
Supporters told the court Leppitsch was ‘honest and trustworthy’ and a ‘safe person’.
The defence submitted 21 character references and letters of support on behalf of Leppitsch, who was supported in court by 14 family members and friends.
The court declined to name who gave references on behalf of Leppitsch.
Leppitsch was also accepted to join the Royal Australian Air Force after he was charged but was ‘unable to take up that position’.
He also made the final stages of recruitment Fire Rescue Victoria but had to withdraw from after he was remanded in custody for these offences, the court heard.
Leppitsch also worked for Camp America and studied business and marketing at RMIT.
Judge Kevin Doyle said the victim was ‘entitled to feel safe’ and Leppitsch committed a ‘breach of trust’.
‘There is no evidence [of remorse],’ Judge Doyle said.
Matthew, who has spent 127 days on remand, was convicted on all charges and made a registered sex offender for life.
