A Japanese tourist caught by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in possession of more than 1,000 videos containing child abuse material has been sentenced to 16 months jail by a Perth Judge.
Now aged 31, the man was arrested at Perth International Airport on 2 November 2019 following his arrival on a flight from Tokyo.
During the initial examination of his mobile phone officers located more than 200 video files and images which depicted the sexual abuse or exploitation of children.
A subsequent digital forensic examination uncovered hundreds more videos stored on an Application in the phone.
The court was told a total of 1,091 videos categorised as child abuse material were located.
The man pleaded guilty to one count of Attempting to Import a Prohibited Import being Tier 2 goods (Child Abuse Material) under s.233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901.
Perth District Court Judge Fiona Vernon yesterday sentenced the man to 16 months imprisonment, to serve a minimum of eight months from the date of arrest, and a $5,000 good behaviour order for a further eight months following his release.
The man’s tourist visa was cancelled on the date of his arrest and he will be removed from Australia once released from prison.
The maximum penalty for the import or export of child abuse material is 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $525,000.
To view the ABF media release published on 4 November 2019 following the man’s arrest click here.
