A New South Wales man will spend at least four months in prison after pleading guilty to importing child-like sex doll parts and child abuse material.
In December 2019, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a package which was described as containing a clothing display model. The package, addressed to a home in Albion Park, was examined and found to contain the lower half of a child-like sex doll.
On 4 March 2020, ABF investigators and NSW Police officers executed a search warrant at a home in Albion Park. The 22 year-old man was arrested and computers and a USB device were seized from his home.
The man was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and was charged with importing prohibited Tier 2 goods without approval, namely child sex doll parts and child abuse material. On 2 November 2020, the man pleaded guilty to both charges.
Yesterday, 14 January 2021, the man appeared at Wollongong Local Court and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for intentionally importing child sex doll parts and nine months imprisonment for intentionally importing child abuse material contrary to section 233BAB(5) Customs Act 1901. The sentences are to be served concurrently, with a non-parole period of four months.
The Customs Act 1901 provides that child-like sex dolls are a form of child abuse material.
Under section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901(Cth), an individual caught attempting to import child abuse material, including a child-like sex doll, 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.
