Markets 
An elderly paedophile who preyed on two girls, including luring one away as he tried to rape her at a park, could be free in October, as one of the mothers urged the parole board not to release him.
Colin Max Behan, 79, faced the District Court in Brisbane on Tuesday, and was sentenced to 4.5 years for his offending, which was described by the prosecution as abhorrent.
Behan pleaded guilty earlier this year to seven charges, including attempted rape, four counts of indecent treatment of a child, one count of indecent act, and using the internet to procure children under the age of 16.
Behan’s youngest victim was 10-years-old when he attacked her in February 2025 over a couple of days at a local park near his home.
The girl had been trying to retrieve her lost balloon, when Behan offered help and then lured her away from her family behind a community centre, where he attempted to rape her.
Judge Carl Heaton asked Behan if he was “still with us” at times during the sentencing as he lulled his head to one side, his body shaking at times.
A mother of one of the girls spoke to journalists outside court after the sentence was handed down, saying Behan should not be released back into the community.
She described being gutted by the sentence, after having sat just metres away from Behan.
“She has to live in fear for the rest of her life,” the mother, who cannot be named under Queensland laws, said of her daughter.
“It’s gut-wrenching.”
She described Behan as an “absolute pig”, and the crime had been rough for her family.
“She’s never going to cope with it. She’s only a child,” the mother said.
When asked what she would say to the Parole Board of Queensland in making their decision later this year on his release, the mother said: “don’t do it.”
She said if Behan was released, he would still be the same.
“Once a paedophile, always a paedophile,” she said.
The court heard the earliest of Behan’s charges related to an adult woman, who Behan had exposed himself to in August 2024 and masturbated in front of. The woman was a neighbour who had visited his home when Behan had exposed himself, before asking her for sex. The woman fled upset, telling her husband what had happened.
That same month he messaged a 12-year-old girl asking for naked photographs. Behan had texted “can you please, I’ll do anything”. He repeatedly asked the girl, who told her mother.
The child was later in Behan’s home playing Roblox, when Behan exposed her to a pornographic film.
In February 2025, Behan lured the 10-year-old girl away at the park, while she had been looking for aluminium cans. Behan followed behind her on his mobility scooter, and demanded a sexual act from her. When the girl refused, Behan offered her $10, and she complied because she felt scared and threatened.
A couple of days later at the park, Behan exposed himself to the girl and attempted to rape her, before a family friend intervened and reported him to police.
Heaton said the consequences had had a profound impact on both the children’s lives.
“Your offending is made all the more serious in that you offended against two young children, demonstrating that this is no lapse in judgment or an aberration,” the judge said during sentencing.
“It was also committed in the context of you having exposed yourself to the adult complainant only a short time prior to this offending against the children.”
In an interview with Nine News in early 2025, Behan admitted to the crimes, saying he was “so ashamed of what happened”.
“That is something I should never have done. I should never have touched her,” he said, explaining he hated paedophilia.
The court heard after the interview was broadcast that night, Behan texted a friend a series of messages, including one that read: “She pulled down her pants, and I get all the blame.”
Behan’s barrister, Sean Franklin, said following the Nine News report, Behan was subjected to public retribution, including abuse and threats from the community, and had his mobility scooter stolen.
Franklin said he had read the victim impact statement from one of the children to his client, and afterwards, Behan had hung his head in shame, saying “I’m so so so sorry.”
Judge Carl Heaton sentenced Behan to 4.5 years imprisonment, with a conviction recorded.
Behan will be eligible to apply for parole in October this year.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Cloe Read is the crime and court reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via X or email.From our partners
Read the full article here
