Riley Jaxon Suchodolski: Jurien Bay man jailed for sexually assaulting young girl he met on Instagram

A Jurien Bay man who raped a 16-year-old girl as they watched movies at her home — while members of her family were in another room — has been sentenced to five years jail. Riley Jaxon Suchodolski, 20, pleaded guilty in Geraldton District Court to five counts of sexual penetration without consent between August 31 and November 1 last year after meeting the victim on Instagram. State prosecutor Gary Huggins said the sexual assaults took place in a theatre room at the girl’s home while her mum and grandmother watched TV in another room. On one occasion Suchodolski sexually assaulted the victim as they watched a movie, pushing her head down into the couch as she struggled to breathe. Another time he forced the victim to perform a sex act while she repeatedly told him to “stop” and “get out of the house”. Suchodolski, who was 19 at the time of offending, made full admissions when arrested. The court was told he had apologised to the victim over social media, saying “he should have stopped when she said to but couldn’t.” In a report prepared for sentencing, a psychologist described Suchodolski’s behaviour as “opportunistic” and “predatory” towards a young and vulnerable victim. Defence lawyer George Giudice said his client was very remorseful and has “treatment needs which he intends to address”. Judge Michael Bowden highlighted the impact the offending had on the victim who told the court in a statement that she suffers nightmares as a result of the crimes, noting the offences carried a maximum jail term of 14 years. However, Judge Bowden acknowledged Suchodolski’s plea of guilty at the first reasonable opportunity, his young age and the fact he had no prior convictions in imposing a five-year term and ordering a lifetime violence restraining order. Suchodolski will be eligible for parole after serving three years. This sentence comes less than two weeks after another Mid West man was spared jail over three rape charges against a girl he met over Snapchat.