A former federal Labor MP has told a Sydney court her son, who sexually assaulted another man despite him saying "no, no", has never been normal.
A jury last year found Janelle Saffin's 32-year-old son, Edward John Saffin, guilty of 13 offences relating to the sexual assault of a man on the NSW north coast in July 2015.
![Janelle Saffin.](/web/20170421005706im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/0/y/k/e/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvnae0.png/1492521255614.jpg)
Ms Saffin told the Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday her son had suffered issues since primary school, became violent after using drugs in high school and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
"He was never normal," Ms Saffin, who was the member for Page between 2007 and 2013, told the court during a sentencing hearing. "He was different, and it was visible before but the drug use exacerbated it."
![Former federal MP Janelle Saffin pictured in May 2016.](/web/20170421005706im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/n/e/f/n/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvnae0.png/1492521255614.jpg)
The court heard Saffin and the victim had been using cannabis and ice before the assaults, which occurred over a number of hours inside and outside a car at a remote location.
The defence said Saffin has autism and ADHD and may have been confused about the "signals" sent by the victim, who decided to stay with him rather than going out to a Lismore pub with others.
Defence barrister Phillip Boulten SC told the court there was evidence Saffin tried to exchange details with the victim after assaulting him and holding him captive.
The court heard the victim said "no, no f---ing, no" at the start of the assaults - which included penetration and oral sex - and later cried.
The prosecution said Saffin's actions showed he knew there was no consent.
The Crown argued evidence from the psychologist who diagnosed Saffin with autism should be given little or no weight as she had relied heavily on Saffin's own account of events.
Saffin's long history of drug use was the main contributor to his poor behaviour, the prosecution suggested.
Saffin, who the court heard has been in trouble with the law before, is being supported by his wife and parents.
Judge Peter Whitford is due to hand down the sentence on May 5.
AAP