A 49-year old man will spend at least two years and three months behind bars after pleading guilty to importing and possessing child abuse material.
On 21 February 2019, the Australian man arrived in Sydney on a flight from Singapore and was selected for an examination by Australian Border Force officers.
During a search of the man's luggage, officers located a mobile phone, which was allegedly found to contain child exploitation material. The man was subsequently arrested and charged with the importation of child abuse material.
After an extensive investigation the man was later charged with the following offences:
• 10 x Counts Section 272.20(1) Criminal Code 1995 – Preparing for or planning offence involving sexual intercourse or other sexual activity with a child.
• 9 x Counts section 474.19(1) Criminal Code 1995 – Use a carriage service to transmit child pornography material to himself and use a carriage service to solicit child pornography material
• 1 x Count section 233BAB(5) Customs Act 1901 – Import Tier 2 Goods.
On 18 January 2021, the man pled guilty at the Maroochydore District Court to all charges.
Today, 19 January 2021, the man was sentenced to a total of four years and six months, with a non-parole period of two years and three months.
Under section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901(Cth), an individual caught attempting to import child abuse material, can be charged with importing Tier 2 goods. The maximum penalty, if convicted, is up to 10 years' imprisonment and/or fines of up to $555,000.
Using a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19 (1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth) is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
Anyone with information about the importation and export of child abuse material should contact BorderWatch at www.australia.gov.au/borderwatch. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia.
