An Australian man has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for attempting to import child abuse material.
In June last year, the 29-year-old man arrived at Perth International Airport, returning from London, where Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected him for a baggage examination.
During the examination, officers also reviewed the man’s mobile phone, where they located images and videos containing child abuse material.
ABF investigators reviewed the material and identified illegal content was located in ‘hidden’ folders and the deleted folder on the mobile phone.
Investigators also located a number of group conversations on a chat application, where child abuse material was being shared between members.
Subsequent investigations revealed 290 videos and 113 images containing child abuse material, some depicting children aged as young as two.
The man was convicted of importing tier 2 goods comprising child abuse material, contrary to s 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act (Cth).
He was sentenced at Perth District Court yesterday (Tuesday 23 April 2024), and is required to serve eight months of his 18 month sentence, and to be of good behaviour for the remaining ten.
ABF Inspector Matthew Anthony said the ABF has a zero tolerance approach to child abuse material.
“Creation, sharing and possession of child abuse material has profound and long lasting impact on the lives of victimised children,” Inspector Anthony said.
“We won’t hesitate to use our powers to prosecute any individual involved in this depraved trade.”
