Ex-federal MP's son fails in appeal

In 2015 Edward John Saffin, 32, the son of former MP for Page Janelle Saffin, drove his victim into isolated countryside near Lismore where he sexually assaulted him over three or four hours.

Following a nine-day trial Saffin was found guilty by jury of 13 offences including aggravated sexual assault, and assault with an act of indecency and was sentenced to a maximum of 14 years behind bars.

He was given a non-parole period of nine years and four months.

Saffin's defence challenged the sentence saying it was "manifestly excessive", referring to a report prepared by clinical psychologists which found Saffin suffered from autism spectrum disorder.

Despite the "implicit threats" and "actual restraints" imposed by Saffin on his victim, and the fact he was explicitly not consenting, Saffin's defence argued he was unable to comprehend the victim was not consenting.

But the fact the victim tried to open a locked car door, and repeated the words "no, no", and "f***ing no", would have been understood by Saffin, according to clinical psychologist, Sally Clifford.

At the time of sentencing in 2017, Judge Peter Whitford acknowledged Saffin's mental condition, which was exacerbated by taking the drugs ice and cannabis earlier in the evening, but said Saffin was at least alive to the possibility the victim wasn't consenting.

In July 2015, Saffin offered to drive the teenager to his home where he lived with his family. Instead he drove him into the country and assaulted him inside and and outside his car, and called him a "little whore" and not to be a "little bitch".

The victim was scared because Saffin said he was carrying a knife and a gun and at one point the teenager vomited slightly in his mouth.

Following the attack he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed Saffin's appeal against sentence on Tuesday.

Saffin will be eligible for release in August 2025.

Australian Associated Press