A West Australian man, 35, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined $5000 for possessing and transmitting child abuse and bestiality material.
The Butler man was sentenced by Perth District Court on 18 December, 2025, to two years' imprisonment, to be released on a recognisance release order after 12 months, after he previously pleaded guilty to:
- Three counts of possess child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of access child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of transmit child abuse material using carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
He was fined $5000 yesterday (22 January, 2026), after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing objectionable material (bestiality), contrary to section 101(1)(b) of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1996 (WA).
The charges associated with each sentence came from the same investigation; however, the man was sentenced at different times as the Commonwealth and state-based charges were separated.
Quotes attributable to AFP Commander Renee Colley:
"The AFP and its law enforcement partners continue to work tirelessly to find and prosecute anyone possessing abhorrent videos and images of abuse.
"The result of these investigations sends a clear message to those criminals; we have zero tolerance for any form of child exploitation, child sexual abuse or animal bestiality.
"Child abuse material has long-lasting impacts on the lives of victimised children."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
