This is a joint release between the Australian Federal Police and Tasmania Police
A West Ulverstone man has been sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and three months, for child abuse material-related offences.
The man, 31, was sentenced by the Launceston Supreme court yesterday (12 February, 2025) for two offences relating to possessing and accessing child abuse material. He was also sentenced for breaching a home detention order imposed for a previous child abuse material-related conviction.
Police attended the man's West Ulverstone residence in March, 2024, to collect a DNA sample and review electronic devices in line with requirements for the home detention order.
During an examination of electronic devices, AFP investigators found evidence of child abuse material.
The devices were seized for further forensic examination and investigators located more than 80,000 child abuse material files on a mobile phone and laptop.
On 20 May, 2024, the Tasmanian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) returned to the West Ulverstone home and charged the 31-year-old with:
Possessing child abuse material accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
Using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
Breaching an order made under s20AB(1) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) by committing further offences that were punishable by imprisonment contrary to section 20AC(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
He was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and three months.
AFP Detective Leading Senior Constable Madeline Kennedy said it was important to understand that behind every image was a real, traumatised child.
"Anyone viewing online child exploitation material feeds a demand for more children to be harmed," D/LSC Kennedy said.
"The AFP is committed to identifying and prosecuting online offenders involved in the exploitation of children.
"Anyone who views this material is committing a crime.
"This outcome should act as a warning to those participating in this abhorrent criminality; you will be tracked down and put before the courts."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found on the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
