A Sydney man has been sentenced to 28-months imprisonment after pleading guilty to importing child abuse material into Australia.
In June 2025, a then 52-year-old man was arrested by Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators, after a significant quantity of child abuse material (CAM) was discovered hidden around his body and on his personal devices after arriving into Sydney International Airport.
It was alleged in court the man imported a large amount of CAM via digital devices, and also concealed additional hard drives within his shoes and underwear.
He was charged, bail refused, and remained before the courts.
In February 2026, the man pled guilty to the following offences:
- One count of import tier 2 goods contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901.
- One count of transmit Child Abuse Material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
- One count of access Child Abuse Material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
- One count of possess Child Abuse Material contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Yesterday (Thursday 23 July 2026), he was sentenced at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court to 28-months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 14-months.
ABF Investigations Superintendent Shaun Baker said ABF officers played a critical role at the border to protect the community, including intercepting abhorrent and dangerous material upon passengers arriving into Australia.
"Child abuse material on portable electronic devices is not a victimless crime. Children are not commodities to be used for the repugnant gratification of sexual predators," Superintendent Baker said.
"Persons will attempt all forms of concealment to avoid the eyes of Border Force officials, but officers are attuned to observing suspicious behaviours of passengers at airports across Australia.
"We are dedicated to stopping all forms of this deplorable content from making its way over the Australian border."
Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia's borders is urged to report to Border Watch online. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community.
