CONVICTED child molester William Alexander Scetrine will spend at least four years behind bars for grooming four primary school age boys for his own sexual gratification.
The 62-year-old former Ballarat radio identity yesterday stared at the floor and remained emotionless as Judge Graeme Crossley read out the sentence.
A relative of one of the boys yelled out in court: "I hope you rot in hell for what you've done.''
Judge Crossely told the County Court in Ballarat that Scetrine lured the boys to his home with the offer of the use of a computer.
"You began by masturbating in their presence and encouraging them to take part in such activities ... (this) soon extended to oral and anal sex.''
"Your behaviour was quite predatory, your intention was to use these boys for your own sexual pleasure.''
Judge Crossley said there was little to suggest Scetrine had any great likelihood of rehabilitation.
"There is not the slightest evidence of any remorse,'' he said.
"You must have understood the consequences of your actions on the young boys.''
The court heard Scetrine had a good employment history and the support of his wife.
He was found guilty by a jury of 18 counts of committing an indecent act with or in the presence of a child under 16 and six counts of taking part in an act of sexual penetration with a child under 16.
Judge Crossley said he had taken the protection of the community into account when sentencing Scetrine.
He was jailed for six years with a minimum non-parole period of four years. Scetrine was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Outside court, the mother of one of the boys described the sentence as too lenient and said Scetrine should have received the maximum penalty of 10 years for each charge.
"He took their whole lives away from them.''
Another relative said there was comfort in the fact Scetrine was going to jail.
"One thing: he'll never ever come near another kid again,'' she said.