A Western Sydney man has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for possessing child abuse material following a tip-off from the United States.
Investigators from the AFP Child Protection Operations team were notified in July 2021 an Australian Google Drive user was uploading child abuse material to the platform.
Enquiries by investigators linked the Winston Hills man, 44, to the account and he was arrested at his home in December 2021, where AFP and New South Wales Police Force investigators seized evidence during a search warrant and subjected it to further analysis.
The man pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 91H(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). He has been remanded in custody since December 2021 and will be released on 6 July 2023 to continue to serve in the community a two-year good behaviour order.
The man was sentenced on 8 May, 2023 in the Parramatta District Court to 18 months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of eight months.
AFP spokesperson said uploading child abuse material re-victimises the children every time the material is shared.
“We take the sharing and dissemination of child abuse material just as seriously as we take the production of it. Our investigators will not stop putting people before the court if they upload, share or possess this vile material,” s/he said.
The ACCCE is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.
The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
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.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit to learn more www.accce.gov.au/support
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation: www.thinkuknow.org.au
