Church youth leader sentenced for sexually assaulting 13-year-old (opens original article in a new tab)

A church youth leader was sentenced to 12 months in jail for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, with the judge citing 'exceptional circumstances' for a reduced sentence, causing division within the church.

• Joshua Emonson, 24, was sentenced to 12 months in jail for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in his car
• Judge Kellie Blair cited 'exceptional circumstances' for reducing the sentence from 2 years and 8 months to 12 months
• The Encourage Pentecostal church faced internal division over handling of Emonson's allegations
• Emonson will serve 12 months in prison, complete 200 hours of community work, and be a registered sex offender for 15 years