Former Bega Cheese CEO Maurice Van Ryn has been sentenced to 13 years' jail for multiple child sex offences.
He has a non-parole period of seven years, but his sentence was reduced by 25 per cent for pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Van Ryn resigned from his position as CEO of Bega Cheese in 2005 after 14 years in the top job, although he continued to work for the company in international business development and sales and marketing roles until late 2012.
He has also served as a non-executive director for a handful of other large food companies in recent years.
Late last year, Bega Cheese published a statement in Bega District News that said the company was aware of the matter, but it had no suspicion or knowledge of if until earlier in the year when the courts began to deal with the matter.
The company also said the police investigation had not involved Bega Cheese.
“Bega Cheese is a proud member of the local community. We are shocked and appalled that Mr Van Ryn has admitted to such abhorrent conduct which is totally contrary to the company’s values,” the statement said.
