Former Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes will spend at least six years in jail for 10 child sex offences.

The judge called his behaviour calculated and manipulative.

Cobey Bartels reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Former Hey Dad star Robert Hughes was sentenced to 10 years and nine months jail but could be freed on parole in six years.

The public gallery in the Sydney courtroom had to be closed because too many people were trying to get in to see the Hughes judgement.

Judge Peter Zahra sentenced Hughes to the maximum jail term allowed at the time of the offences.

Hughes had pleaded not guilty to the charges of sexually or indecently assaulting five girls between 1985 and 1990.

During the sentencing, Zahra said Hughes was “brazen” and “predatory” in his assaults on the girls.

He said, there is no evidence the offender remained troubled by his crimes.

Following the sentencing, The Bravehearts group released a statement saying: “Our thoughts are with our very brave ambassador, Sarah Monaghan Morris, and other victims of Robert Hughes.”

There is no word yet as to whether Hughes will appeal the sentence.

Cobey Bartels, QUT News