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Former MP Orkopoulos jailed for nine years

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FORMER NSW Labor minister Milton Orkopoulos has been sentenced to at least nine years and three months` jail for child sex and drug offences.

Orkopoulos, 50, was found guilty by a jury in March of 28 offences, and pleaded guilty to two other charges at the outset of his trial.

In the Newcastle District Court today, Judge Ralph Coolahan set a maximum jail term of 13 years and 11 months for the former Aboriginal affairs minister.

Judge Coolahan spent more than an hour detailing the former MP`s crimes which date between 1995 and 2006 and involved the grooming of three young boys with drugs and alcohol in exchange for sex.

He said Orkopoulos used his position of authority and power to win the trust of his victims and introduced one to heroin, an act which he described as "a very serious offence``.

"His conduct was premeditated, predatory and manipulative with far reaching impacts,`` Judge Coolahan told the court.

The only time Orkopoulos displayed any emotion during the hearing was when the judge mentioned the ongoing support he had received from his mother, sister and former parliamentary colleague Jan Burnswoods.

All three of his victims, who were present in court with family and friends, simply stared at Orkopoulos as the sentence was passed.

Outside court, his second victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said today represented a new beginning.

"It`s taken away so much of my life, and I want to make up for the last 10 years I have lost.``

He said he was not surprised Orkopoulos only showed emotion when his own family was mentioned, saying:

But he said he supported a fundraising push by some Labor MPs to raise money for Orkopoulos`s family.

"His wife has probably suffered," he said, but broke down when asked if he believed the Labor Party had tried to protect Orkopoulos.

The third victim, Ben Blackburn, who was 16 when he was first indecently assaulted by Orkopoulos, said he was extremely relieved by the sentence.

"It`s been a long road but we got justice in the end," he said, as his mother sobbed beside him.

"Obviously it is not something that is going to go away. It is always going to be with me."

NSW Premier Morris Iemma welcomed the sentence given to his former frontbench colleague.

"This man is now in jail where he belongs. His repugnant double life has been exposed and he has been prosecuted for his vile acts," Mr Iemma said.

"The sentencing decision today brings a welcome closure to the case. The diligent and exhaustive work of the investigate team deserves the highest praise, as do the victims and witnesses who came forward and provided valuable evidence to police and appeared before the court.

"It is pleasing to see justice done and my hope is it offers some comfort to the victims."

Mr Iemma is in China on a nine-day trade mission.

Orkopoulos`s lawyer John Fitzgerald said he had yet to decide on an appeal.

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