Richard Sackelariou, a 70-year-old former plastic surgeon with practices in Sydney and Melbourne, has spoken out about his actions that led to his conviction for grooming young girls for sexual purposes. During a sentencing hearing at Newcastle District Court, Sackelariou reflected on his shame and the harm he caused to six girls aged between 13 and 15, whom he paid to meet him in various hotel rooms across Sydney, Newcastle, and Queensland.
In his self-defence, he expressed distress over the psychological impact he inflicted on the young girls. He acknowledged that he had interfered with their normal sexual development and was appalled at the person he had become. He described being deeply affected by the victims’ statements that were read in court, highlighting the substantial emotional trauma he caused them.
Sackelariou’s personal life has also suffered due to his crimes; his wife, who is battling liver cancer, divorced him after his arrest, and his two sons have cut off communication. When questioned by prosecutor Kristy Mulley, he admitted he never considered the lasting effects of his actions on the victims and their families. Reflecting on his time in custody, he mentioned that it has provided him with ample opportunity to contemplate his misdeeds.
His illegal activities involved targeting young girls through social media and “sugar daddy” websites, initially seeking women aged 18 to 24 but later lowering the age bracket to 18-19. Despite learning some of the girls were underage, he continued to engage with them. Sackelariou has pleaded guilty to 10 charges, which include multiple counts of inducing minors into prostitution and using electronic communications to procure sexual acts from children.
Police apprehended him on November 4, 2022, at his home in Vaucluse, after they discovered messages, images, and videos on his electronic devices that connected him to the young girls. Among the alleged incidents, he was reported to have offered a 15-year-old girl $1,000 for sex and, when she declined, raised the offer to $3,500 for a brief encounter.
In response to the gravity of his actions, Sackelariou now publicly expresses regret for the damage he caused but the complex layers of his admission raise questions about accountability and the consequences for such predatory behaviour.
For individuals seeking support, resources such as the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT), Kids Helpline, and Lifeline are available.