Porn seekers beware

Our client, a 66 year old retiree and novelist with no prior convictions, was arrested by the Australian Federal Police earlier this year. His electronic devices were searched and following a forensic examination of his computer, police located child abuse material on his device. Our client was charged with a federal offence of possessing child abuse material. As a result of the charge, our client’s reputation was destroyed, his marriage was in ruins and he lost some of his close family and friends. Our client was shocked to learn of the material on his device. It was not the case he had intentionally searched for, or downloaded, such material. Rather, it had been inadvertently downloaded to his computer in the course of downloading adult pornography, and he had been reckless as to his possession of that material. Federal prosecutors pushed for our client to be sentenced to a term of immediate imprisonment. We fought hard for our client at sentencing, submitting that his case was distinguishable from others of this type. The sentencing judge was persuaded to impose a recognizance release order. Our client can now enjoy Christmas with his family, continue caring for his elderly mother and start to rebuild his life.