Because there was no trial as McGovern pleaded guilty, the state has been laying out its evidence in sentencing hearings which took place last Monday and on Friday.
Several testimonials from McGovern’s family have been made available to the court, defence senior counsel Michael Bowman said.
McGovern’s partner, her father, McGovern’s mother and McGovern’s uncle wrote letters.
His mother spoke about how McGovern was involved in soccer at underage level as well as his personal life and the loss of his father. She described her son as a “committed father”.
The father of McGovern’s partner, who is a grandfather to McGovern’s two children, said he “always presented as a caring and generous father”.
McGovern’s partner set out the history of their relationship and wrote about the “turmoil” in their lives.
The letter from his uncle spoke about the “choices and decisions” McGovern has made and said how they do not reflect the “entirety” of the individual.
He wrote how rehabilitation is “always possible” and his hope for McGovern to be reintroduced back into the community as a father, partner and as a son.
