A Melbourne man who bought a new phone and downloaded child pornography after police had seized his first phone and charged him with online child abuse offences has been jailed for eight years.
Police say the jail sentence factored in additional charges laid after the man purchased the new mobile phone to access and download child exploitation material after his initial arrest.
The Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (VIC JACET) charged the Greenvale man with possessing child abuse material after executing a search warrant at his residence and seizing electronic devices, including a mobile phone in February.
Subsequent forensic examination of the man’s electronic devices identified 17 online communications between the man and persons under the age of 16.
In May, VIC JACET investigators carried out a second search warrant at the same Greenvale property while the man was on bail. Investigators discovered additional downloaded child abuse material on newly acquired electronic devices.
The man’s bail was then revoked and he was remanded in custody.
This month the 34-year-old pled guilty to 38 online child abuse charges in the Melbourne County Court.
Yesterday he was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with a non-parole period of four years, nine months.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
