Charlie Star put his head in his hands and wept when he was told he had been sentenced to four years in jail for the rape of a 17-year-old girl.
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In handing out her sentence in Melbourne County Court on Friday, Judge Meryl Sexton said Star would be eligible for parole in two years.
"I understand this is difficult for everyone," she said, as Star's girlfriend cried loudly in the courtroom and other family and friends were in tears.
They yelled out "we love you Charlie" and "be strong mate" as he was taken into custody.
The victim, who cannot be identified by law, watched the sentencing via video link from Wodonga supported by her mother and remained quiet as the jail verdict was announced.
Star will appeal his conviction for rape, claiming the sex was consensual.
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He and friend Mitchell Bowran, who were both 20 at the time, had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl behind a shed at a Kergunyah party on September 2, 2017.
The jury who heard the trial in July found Star guilty of one count of rape, not guilty of a second and undecided on the third.
Bowran was found not guilty of four counts of rape and the jury was undecided on the fifth.
He was also present in the courtroom on Friday to support his friend.
Star's defence lawyers said the verdict was "unreasonable", but Judge Sexton said it could be explained.
The jury found the 17-year-old girl consented to some of the sexual acts, but not the one where Star was found guilty of rape.
The 17-year-old has previously read her victim impact statement in court, describing the rape as involving "pain, power and fear".
"The damage to her has been profound, including to her self-esteem," Judge Sexton said.
"She correctly realised that she is not to blame ... The person who is to blame is the one found guilty by the jury - that is you Mr Star."
The judge said the process of going through court meant it was unlikely Star would offend again, but it was important to deter others from committing rape, especially on those aged under 18 where the harm caused can be long term and serious.
"She was a child," Judge Sexton said.
She said although the offence was a lower level example of rape, Star's moral culpability was not low.
Star's lawyers had asked for a stay on the jail sentence, so he would not go into custody until his appeal was heard, but Judge Sexton said there were no exceptional circumstances why that should occur.