MasterChef Australia 2009 finalist Paul Frost has been sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison for a series of child sex crimes.
**CONTENT WARNING: The following discusses child sexual abuse and may be distressing to some readers.
On June 14, a jury unanimously found that Frost was guilty of 43 child sexual abuse charges against 10 boys and one girl throughout the 1990s and 2000s, during his time as a Sydney swim coach.
The youngest victims were just 10 years old.
The charges included several counts of sexual intercourse with a child under his authority or care, multiple charges of aggravated indecent assaults of a person under 16 and grooming children for sexual activity.
On November 16, Judge Sarah Huggett concluded a lengthy legal process — four years since Frost’s arrest — by sentencing him to a maximum of 32 years in prison.
Per the Daily Mail, Judge Huggett addressed the “escalating gravity and brazenness” of the offences, saying that Frost moved from one victim to the next at will.
The majority of offences reportedly took place at Frost’s swimming school in southwest Sydney and varied from areas such as the change rooms, kickboard rooms, the pool, and the deck.
According to news.com.au, victim testimonies detailed the reality contestant’s “manipulation, encouraging explicit discussions about sex and masturbation, which eventually led to inappropriate physical contact”.
The court also heard that Frost swore the children to secrecy.
Judge highlights MasterChef Australia‘s Paul Frost’s lack of remorse after child sex crimes
Judge Huggett said that Frost’s “opportunistic, impulsive, and spontaneous” behaviour fostered an atmosphere that normalised explicit conversations.
She also noted that the MasterChef contestant’s lack of remorse was evident, disregarding character references that described Frost as being a defender of minors.
“There is no evidence that would permit me to find on balance that he is contrite or remorseful,” she said.
Frost appeared in court via an audiovisual link from Shortland Correctional Centre. He expressed minimal reaction to the extent of his sentencing.
His earliest possible release date is June 3, 2047.
He is currently being held in protective custody following an assault in July at Shortland Correctional Centre.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual assault, please contact the Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence National Help Line on 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) or head to The Australian Human Rights Commission for a list of state-by-state resources.
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