A Mooroopna man accessed child abuse material in “sexualised communications” on Facebook Messenger.
Jessie Peter Hanley, 38, of Mooroopna, pleaded guilty in the Shepparton County Court to using a carriage service to access child abuse material, possessing child abuse material and a summary charge of possessing a prohibited weapon.
The court heard Hanley accessed seven child abuse material images on Facebook Messenger between November 13 and 15, 2023 in “sexualised communications” with his co-accused.
Police then found a total 46 files of child abuse material, some of which were computer-generated animation images, on two of Handley’s mobile phones while searching his Mooroopna home on May 9, 2024.
Of those files, at least one image was evaluated as category one, or the worst under the Interpol Baseline Scale, and five files were evaluated as category two.
Police also found two extendable batons, which Hanley told them he had for protection due to crime in the area.
In sentencing Hanley, Judge Daniel Holding said the nature of the material was “depraved and abhorrent”.
He said it created a market for the “exploitation of vulnerable and innocent children”, which “destroys their innocence and childhood”.
Judge Holding acknowledged Hanley had a “long history of mental disorders” including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and an eating disorder.
He also noted Hanley had been raised in an environment of “neglect, and emotional and physical abuse” which was “deeply damaging”.
“It’s clear you had a challenging upbringing marked by instability,” Judge Holding said.
Judge Holding called Hanley’s offending “unsophisticated”, because he’d used Facebook Messenger and mobile phones to access and possess the child abuse material.
He noted Hanley had no criminal history, pleaded guilty at an early stage, his remorse, and the limited quantity of images.
Hanley was sentenced to an 18-month recognisance release order.
Under the order, Hanley must be of good behaviour, engage in sex offender treatments and programs, and engage with corrections.
Judge Holding said he was giving Hanley one opportunity to avoid immediate incarceration and help his rehabilitation.
“It’s the best way of ensuring you have nothing to do with child abuse material for the rest of your life,” he said.
If he doesn’t meet these conditions, he will have to pay $1000 and serve six months in prison.
Hanley must also comply with sex offender reporting obligations for 15 years.
For the charge of possessing a prohibited weapon, Hanley was fined $100.