Mr Davis in his report considered that your pattern of behaviour was indicative of paedophilia in relation to females. The history taken by Mr Davis indicates that you have little insight into your offending as you have continually minimised the offences. He said at p5:
'The current offences occurred in the context of considerable trust being placed in [the applicant] by his stepchildren and other family friends. He noted that his stepdaughter believed his account of the 1998 offence and continued to have her children stay over with him. Despite pleading guilty [the applicant]'s descriptions of the offences were replete with minimisation, rationalisation, denial and distorted thinking. He noted that his step grandchildren knew a lot about sex because their parents would watch pornography in front of them, accordingly he claims that the children would often instigate sexual behaviour with him.'
Mr Davis in his report specifically referred to the history taken in relation to Counts 1, 2 and 3, then he continued:
'[The applicant] denied ever masturbating himself to ejaculation in front of the children. Furthermore he claims that the girls always laughed hysterically when he would blow on their clitorises. He denied the allegation in relation to Count 5 and Count 10.'
Mr Davis then reported as follows:
'Despite his minimisation and denial [the applicant] did tearfully note, "I'm not blaming the kids, it's all me." He added, "However I should have nipped it in the bud. I felt disgusted after each time. Every time I promised myself that's it but they dragged me into another game and games would get out of hand. I never ever encouraged them to stay over. It was their idea I think. They became overly familiar. I may have overlooked them perhaps. I love them and I can't say no to them. I went along with it for their benefit. That's what they wanted. I came down to their level."
Nonetheless [the applicant] could apparently see himself as a victim as he noted; "I've lost the one and only love: children. I miss them, I'll never see my best mate, my stepson Neville. No way known I would have hurt them. I think they're hurt more because I'm here than when I was outside. I don't think they hate me. I hope they'll come and see me in the future."
However, there was some minor insight as [the applicant] stated, "I love my grandchildren, they love me too and I took advantage of that love. In retrospect I think it's a good thing that it's come to a head and I've been stopped."'
In your record of interview you describe what occurred in relation to some accusations as being a game the children were playing with you, which clearly is not correct.
The forensic psychiatrist Dr Adam Deacon set out his opinion as follows:
'[The applicant] is a paedophile. He has committed a range of sex offences against children. He displays ongoing cognitive distortions that have triggered and maintained his offending behaviour. He minimises and denies aspects of his involvement dispute [sic] pleading guilty to the charges. He is regretful and moderately shamed by his offences but has limited capacity for empathy and remorse. He denies sexual gratification from his behaviours despite clear evidence to the contrary.
The origin to [the applicant]'s paedophilia are unclear but there are a number of possible contributing factors. He was allegedly sexual [sic] violated by a teacher at age 13. He was an only child with considerable social difficulties amongst his peer group. He appears to desire closeness to children but is unaware of appropriate boundaries. He does not understand levels of intimacy. He identifies with children's playfulness but has not understood adult roles and responsibility. He probably experienced a prolonged grief response following the death of his second wife Margaret. [The applicant] does not have any mental health issues other than paedophilia.'[27]